ABC has abruptly pulled late-night staple Jimmy Kimmel Live off the air after the host’s controversial remarks on the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk sparked outrage across the political spectrum and even caught the attention of federal regulators.
In a statement to CNN, an ABC spokesperson confirmed the move, saying: “Jimmy Kimmel Live will be pre-empted indefinitely.”
The decision followed a wave of backlash after Nexstar, one of the largest operators of ABC affiliates, announced it would no longer broadcast the show “for the foreseeable future.”
Nexstar said it “strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.”
Kimmel’s Monologue Sparks Firestorm
The controversy erupted during Kimmel’s Monday night monologue, when he addressed the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the man accused of fatally shooting Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10.
Kimmel mocked conservatives who rejected early suggestions that Robinson might have been motivated by right-wing ideology.
“The MAGA Gang [is] desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said. “In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”
The comments drew immediate criticism for both tone and accuracy. Just hours before Kimmel’s broadcast, Utah officials confirmed that Robinson had expressed “leftist ideology” online, contradicting the comedian’s claims.
For many viewers, the timing of the remarks crossed a line. Calls for boycotts flooded social media. Affiliate stations faced pressure from angry viewers and local advertisers. Within 48 hours, Nexstar pulled the plug.
FCC Weighs In
The controversy quickly jumped from pop culture to Washington.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr blasted Kimmel’s remarks in an interview with conservative commentator Benny Johnson.
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr said. “These companies can find ways to change conduct and take actions on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
Carr did not specify what regulatory steps might be considered but hinted at increased scrutiny of broadcast standards. The unusual intervention underscored the level of political attention the case has generated.
Sinclair Steps Into the Gap
With Jimmy Kimmel Live shelved, Sinclair Broadcasting quickly announced it would air a special tribute to Charlie Kirk in the program’s usual timeslot.
The special will air across Sinclair’s ABC affiliates on Friday, with a repeat broadcast over the weekend. The network also offered the package to all ABC affiliates nationwide.
A Sinclair spokesperson said the move was about “honoring Charlie’s legacy and ensuring viewers see content that uplifts rather than divides.”
Secret Service Agent Faces Dismissal
Meanwhile, the fallout from Kirk’s assassination extended into the federal government itself.
Multiple outlets confirmed that Secret Service agent Anthony Pough is expected to be fired after celebrating Kirk’s killing in a social media post.
Pough, who joined the agency in 2022 and is still in his probationary period, reportedly posted:
“If you are mourning this guy… delete me. He spewed hate and racism on his show. You can’t circumvent karma, she doesn’t leave.”
The post quickly spread among fellow agents and shocked many inside the protective detail community.
“If that’s all it takes to set you off, that’s dangerous to have around,” one veteran agent told RealClearPolitics reporter Susan Crabtree, who first broke the story.
The Secret Service confirmed that Pough has been placed on administrative leave while an internal review proceeds. A spokesperson emphasized that “the agency will not tolerate any behavior that undermines our code of conduct.”
According to insiders, because Pough is still in his three-year probationary period, leadership can remove him far more easily than a career-status agent.
Political Shockwaves
The backlash to Kimmel — combined with the scandal inside the Secret Service — highlights just how far the impact of Kirk’s assassination has rippled beyond the courtroom.
For conservatives, Kimmel’s monologue epitomizes what they see as Hollywood’s hostility toward their movement.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tweeted: “This is who they are. Smirking at a man’s death, mocking grief, and pretending violence only comes from one side. Absolutely disgraceful.”
Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded, issued a statement calling ABC’s decision to pull Kimmel “the first accountability moment we’ve seen from corporate media in years.”
Democrats, for their part, have remained largely quiet. Some liberal commentators defended Kimmel’s remarks as satire gone too far, while others urged restraint.
But the FCC’s involvement and Nexstar’s affiliate revolt show that the fallout is not just political — it’s commercial and regulatory as well.
A Nation Still Watching
Charlie Kirk, just 31 years old, was a rising figure on the American right. His shooting death during a live campus event has become a flashpoint in the culture wars.
Now, the controversy has shifted from the accused shooter, Tyler Robinson, to media figures, broadcasters, and even federal agents.
ABC’s decision to sideline one of its flagship late-night hosts underscores how quickly the political climate can change the fortunes of even established entertainment figures.
As Kirk’s supporters prepare to gather for memorials, as prosecutors push forward with their case, and as Washington debates what this all says about free speech, bias, and responsibility — one thing is certain: the reverberations of that single gunshot in Utah are far from over.
James Jenkins is a celebrated Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose work has reshaped the way readers think about social justice and human rights in America. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, James grew up in a community that instilled in him both resilience and a strong sense of responsibility toward others. After studying political science and creative writing at Howard University, he worked as a journalist covering civil rights issues before dedicating himself fully to fiction. His novels are known for their sharp, empathetic portraits of marginalized communities and for weaving personal stories with broader political realities. Jenkins’s breakout novel, Shadows of Freedom, won national acclaim for its unflinching look at systemic inequality, while his more recent works explore themes of identity, resilience, and the fight for dignity in the face of oppression. Beyond his novels, James is an active public speaker, lecturing at universities and participating in nonprofit initiatives that support literacy and community empowerment. He believes that storytelling is a way to preserve history and inspire change. When not writing, James enjoys jazz music, mentoring young writers, and traveling with his family to explore cultures and stories around the world.
