Credit: Disney/ABCDisney has made a dramatic move in the wake of growing outrage against Jimmy Kimmel, pulling all of his scheduled appearances and suspending Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely. The network’s action signals that the late-night host’s long-running relationship with ABC could be nearing its end.
The backlash stems from remarks Kimmel made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which critics say were misleading, inflammatory, and politically charged. Now, Disney finds itself navigating a storm of cultural and political pressure as the controversy refuses to fade.
The Remarks That Sparked Outrage
During a monologue earlier this week, Kimmel criticized Trump supporters for allegedly twisting the narrative around Kirk’s killing. Referring to the shooter, Kimmel accused conservatives of scoring political points off the tragedy. He also mocked Donald Trump’s reaction to Kirk’s death, likening it to “how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
But Kimmel’s framing quickly came under fire. Court documents and media reports revealed that the alleged assassin, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, held left-leaning political views and had become outspoken in his support for LGBTQ causes. That detail contradicted Kimmel’s version of events, fueling accusations that the host deliberately misled his audience during a time of national grief.
Federal Officials Step In
What began as another controversial late-night monologue quickly escalated into something much bigger. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr blasted both Kimmel and ABC, warning that broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr said, suggesting that the FCC could step in if networks failed to hold themselves accountable.
Carr also praised station groups that moved quickly to drop Kimmel’s program, framing it as a necessary stand for community standards. His comments amplified the pressure on Disney, which has already faced political battles in recent years over its cultural positioning.
Nexstar and ABC Take Action
The first domino fell when Nexstar, one of the largest owners of local television stations in the country, announced that it would preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! “for the foreseeable future.” In a statement, Nexstar Broadcasting President Andrew Alford explained:
“Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located. Continuing to give Mr. Kimmel a broadcast platform in the communities we serve is simply not in the public interest.”
Following Nexstar’s move, ABC confirmed that the show would be “preempted indefinitely.” That means Kimmel’s appearances, including promotional spots and previously planned events, have been entirely erased from Disney’s programming slate for the time being.
Public Reaction and Boycotts
The public response has been heated on both sides. Critics of Kimmel flooded social media with demands for his firing, some threatening lawsuits and others vowing to cancel Disney subscriptions. One user wrote, “People like Jimmy Kimmel must have their careers completely destroyed.” Another asked bluntly, “What the h*ll is so funny about a father of two children and a husband being killed?”
A Fragile Moment for Disney
The controversy arrives at an inconvenient time for Disney, which is already facing battles over political influence, cultural disputes, and ongoing corporate challenges. CEO Bob Iger has not commented publicly on the Kimmel situation, but silence has not stopped speculation that firing Kimmel could be the company’s only viable option to calm the storm.
Kimmel has been extremely critical of conservatives over his career, but these particular comments were viewed differently.
For many, Disney’s decision to suspend the show indefinitely suggests that the company is testing the waters before making a permanent call. Pulling all of Kimmel’s appearances was not just about one show—it was a company-wide response designed to create distance between the Disney brand and Kimmel’s remarks.
The Future of Kimmel’s Career
For Jimmy Kimmel, this marks the most serious threat to his career since he entered late-night television more than two decades ago. Reports indicate that Kimmel had already been contemplating retirement, with staffers describing him as increasingly disengaged and “coming across as insensitive.” The current firestorm could accelerate those conversations—or end them outright if Disney decides to terminate him.
The suspension also raises questions about late-night television as a whole. With declining ratings across networks and cultural battles intensifying, the era of the outspoken political comedian may be giving way to something else entirely.
At this moment, the facts are clear: Disney has cut all of Jimmy Kimmel’s appearances, and his late-night show has been shelved indefinitely. What happens next will depend not only on corporate decisions at ABC and Disney but also on the continued pressure from regulators, advertisers, and the public.