Comedian Jimmy Kimmel, host and creator of ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", sparked controversy with remarks made on 15/9 and 16/9 regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk, an ally of former President Donald Trump, was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on 10/9.

Kimmel suggested Trump supporters were "politicizing the tragedy". He played a video clip of a reporter asking Trump about his feelings two days after Kirk's death. Trump responded that he was "fine" and then pivoted to discussing a banquet hall being built at the White House.

"That’s not how a grown man grieves the murder of a friend," Kimmel criticized. "That’s a 4-year-old crying because his goldfish died."

Conservatives reacted fiercely. On the afternoon of 17/9, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr threatened to revoke ABC and parent company Disney's broadcasting license. This alerted Disney CEO Robert Iger and the ABC team to the seriousness of the situation.

"For a broadcaster, there is nothing scarier than the FCC threatening fines, or worse, pulling your license", a veteran television producer told CNN.

Jimmy Kimmel in Beverly Hills, California on 2/5. Photo: AFP

Jimmy Kimmel in Beverly Hills, California on 2/5. Photo: AFP

"Jimmy Kimmel Live!", a late-night talk show airing weeknights on ABC since 2003, is known for celebrity interviews, comedy sketches, and viral clips.

Following Carr's warning, pressure mounted on ABC and Disney. Advertisers and partners expressed concern. Nexstar, which operates 28 local ABC affiliates, announced an "indefinite suspension" of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on the night of 17/9, citing Kimmel's "inflammatory and insensitive" remarks.

Sinclair, which operates 38 ABC affiliates, took similar action. The company called for Kimmel to apologize to Kirk's family and make a "substantial personal contribution" to Turning Point USA, the political organization founded by Kirk. Sinclair added that their 38 stations would air a tribute to Kirk during Kimmel's time slot.

With approximately 230 ABC affiliates nationwide, the refusal of 66 stations to air the show significantly limited "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"'s reach and impacted ABC's revenue.

Local stations have occasionally complained about and even refused to air certain ABC programs. The difference this time, Robert Thompson, founding director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University in New York, told AP, was the sheer number of stations applying pressure.

Kimmel planned a monologue for the 17/9 broadcast to address the FCC chairman's comments, arguing that his words had been twisted by some MAGA supporters. A source familiar with the matter described Kimmel's intended language as "very harsh".

As Kimmel prepared to tape the show, Disney Entertainment co-chairman Dana Walden met with him, urging him to "tone it down". Deadline, citing sources, reported that Kimmel insisted he would not apologize and intended to target fervent Trump supporters.

Following the meeting, Walden, Iger, and senior ABC executives concluded that Kimmel's approach would only "add fuel to the fire", sources said. Allowing Kimmel to proceed could lead to more difficult decisions for Disney, which wanted to "get the show back on the air quickly".

They were also concerned for the safety of station employees after those involved in the production of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" received threats. Walden and Iger subsequently decided to pull the show and informed Kimmel.

A source said Kimmel has always been free to express his personal views on Trump on his show, but with the FCC license at risk, Disney was forced to make a business decision.

Both Disney and Nexstar have deals pending FCC approval. Disney is seeking approval for ESPN's acquisition of NFL Network, while Nexstar is looking to finalize a $6.2 billion acquisition of rival media company Tegna.

After ABC pulled "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", Carr posted on X that "local stations have an obligation to serve the public interest", applauding Nexstar and Sinclair for "doing the right thing".

People gather outside the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" studio in Los Angeles, California on 18/9. Photo: AFP

People gather outside the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" studio in Los Angeles, California on 18/9. Photo: AFP

The decision to pull "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" drew both praise and condemnation.

Critics argued the Trump administration was interfering with free speech. On 18/9, Democratic lawmakers introduced a bill to strengthen free speech protections against government actions. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called for Carr's dismissal.

Meanwhile, Trump and conservatives applauded the move. On the evening of 17/9, Trump posted on social media praising ABC "for having the courage to do what needed to be done", calling Kimmel "untalented". At a press conference on 18/9 in the UK, Trump said ABC should have fired Kimmel long ago.

"Whether you call it free speech or not, the fact is he got fired for being untalented", Trump said.

Nhu Tam (According to WSJ, AP, CNN)