"'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' will be suspended indefinitely," a spokesperson for ABC, the network that airs the show, announced on 17/9.

Earlier, Nextstar, a major operator of ABC affiliate stations, declared it would not air the show "for the foreseeable future". Nextstar said it "strongly objects to Kimmel's recent comments regarding the Charlie Kirk murder and will replace the program with alternative content". Nextstar is the largest local television station operator in the US.

Jimmy Kimmel speaks at the opening of the 96th Academy Awards in Hollywood in 3/2024. Photo: Reuters

Jimmy Kimmel speaks at the opening of the 96th Academy Awards in Hollywood in 3/2024. Photo: Reuters

'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' is an American late-night talk show created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, airing on ABC since 2003. The show is known for its celebrity interviews, comedy sketches, and viral clips.

In a commentary on the evening of 15/9, Kimmel stated that the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement was attempting to distance itself from Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Kirk's murder.

"MAGA is desperately trying to portray the young man who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of their own and doing everything they can to score political points off of it," Kimmel said.

Prior to ABC's announcement, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr described Kimmel's remarks as "unprecedentedly bad behavior". He implied the FCC might revoke the licenses of ABC affiliates as a means of forcing them to discipline Kimmel.

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," he said. "These companies can either step up and take action against Kimmel, or the FCC is going to have some more work to do".

The non-governmental organization Center for American Values filed a complaint with the FCC against Kimmel. "Kimmel cannot hide behind the excuse that he was merely satirizing and performing late-night comedy," the complaint stated.

"ABC affiliates need to stand up and demand that ABC, as a network, be held accountable for airing content that disrespects the public interest standard to which they are beholden," wrote Daniel Suhr, the Center's president. "Disney, as the owner of ABC, needs to take direct action to fix this".

Meanwhile, Anna Gomez, the sole Democratic commissioner at the FCC, argued that the administration of President Donald Trump is increasingly "weaponizing government power to stifle legitimate activity", impacting free speech rights.

Host Jimmy Kimmel during a taping of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' in 5/2024. Photo: ABC

Host Jimmy Kimmel during a taping of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' in 5/2024. Photo: ABC

Kimmel has previously been targeted by President Trump. Shortly after CBS announced the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's late-night talk show, the President suggested that "Jimmy Kimmel, who is even less talented, is next".

Trump, currently on a visit to the UK, expressed support for the recent developments. "Congratulations to ABC for finally having the guts to do what they should have done a long time ago," Trump posted on Truth Social on 18/9, adding that Kimmel "has no talent whatsoever".

Vu Hoang (CNN, AFP, Reuters)