President Donald Trump has welcomed the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which came about after long-standing tweets from Charlie Kirk resurfaced. Kirk publicly rejected the late-night host following ABC’s and Disney’s decision to pull the show.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his approval, stating:
“Great news for America: The challenged Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been cancelled. Congratulations to ABC for having the courage to do what they have to do in the end. Kimmel has zero talent and, if possible, has a worse rating than Colbert. This left two losers, Jimmy and Seth, on fake News NBC. Their reviews are also scary.”
Kirk had previously remarked back in 2017 that “Jimmy Kimmel is not funny,” and his comments gained renewed attention as social media users reacted to the network’s decision following backlash over Kimmel’s comments regarding an assassination attempt on Kirk.
This week, ABC, Disney, and Nexstar Media Group announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be “indefinitely on hold” after Kimmel’s controversial remarks about the murder of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Nexstar President Andrew Alford noted that Kimmel’s comments were “aggressive and insensitive during a critical time in our national political discourse” and did not align with community values. The replacement for the show is deemed to be in the “public interest.”
The controversy started when Kimmel suggested during his Monday monologue that Kirk’s alleged assassin may have been part of a group he referred to and poked fun at President Trump’s decision to order a flag to be flown at half-staff. This led FCC Chairman Brendan Kerr to label Kimmel’s assertions as “truly sick,” warning that ABC and Disney could face repercussions, including potential actions against their broadcast licenses. Kerr stressed that there’s a public responsibility to avoid misleading viewers, hinting at a possible suspension.
Reports about the suspect undermine Kimmel’s framing. Authorities identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as a suspect, revealing his dislike for Kirk and left-leaning views. A family member indicated that Robinson had a partner who had expressed anti-conservative sentiments. Details supported by Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed Robinson’s admission of the shooting in a note to his partner.
Greg Gutfeld, a host on Fox News, criticized Kimmel’s actions, suggesting they marked the end of his late-night career. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) linked the suspension to government influence, warning during a CNN interview that this could lead to “dictatorship” and hinted at possible legal action for violating free speech. CNN’s Brian Stelter contested that “America is a freer place when late-night comedians can express their thoughts openly.”
This cancellation comes months after CBS announced the conclusion of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, estimating financial losses at $40 million annually. An executive mentioned that while Colbert alleged the decision wasn’t driven by finances, declines in the industry led to Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Trump being described as a significant blow.
Trump has repeatedly criticized late-night hosts, recently posting that Colbert’s portrayal of him was lacking in talent and claiming “Jimmy Kimmel comes next.” He referred to Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon’s programming as a “unexaggerated late-night sweepstakes.” In response, both Colbert and Jon Stewart reacted with pointed comments, while Kimmel defended Colbert’s observations about Trump’s perceived encouragement at a WWE event.
At the Emmy Awards earlier this month, there was no mention of Kirk’s assassination. Colbert received a standing ovation during his acceptance speech, where he mourned the loss of his show. However, in a separate taped message, he condemned political violence, expressing sorrow for Kirk’s family and calling him a “prominent right-wing activist.”
