Mamdani Withdraws Town Hall from ABC After Kimmel Suspension

On Monday, Zoran Mamdani, a Democratic candidate for mayor in New York City, shared that Disney’s ABC network was boycotting City Hall following the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show.

ABC made the announcement on Wednesday, stating it would indefinitely pull “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” This decision came after Kimmel’s comments regarding the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk on September 10. Mamdani, who identifies as a socialist, expressed that he would no longer participate in a town hall scheduled for September 25 on WABC News, citing the suspension of Kimmel’s show as the reason.

“ABC has removed Jimmy Kimmel from the air,” Mamdani said. “The message to Americans is clear—the First Amendment is not something we can take for granted anymore. It feels like the government is deciding what we can talk about, and we cannot let that sort of behavior become the norm.”

Mamdani further remarked that this issue transcends just Kimmel, pointing to the impact on creators like writers and musicians in the city. He noted, “It’s not simply about one person; it’s this broader attack on the very essence of our community and culture.”

In Kimmel’s September 15 monologue, he criticized those distancing themselves from the alleged murderer of Kirk, suggesting a political maneuver by some to avoid association with the incident.

Meanwhile, FCC Chairman Brendan Kerr responded to Kimmel’s comments during an appearance, implying that he had faced threats over the situation. Former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly weighed in, stating that ABC’s cancellation of Kimmel’s show should not be interpreted as censorship.

Mamdani has faced backlash for his left-leaning views from various sides of the political spectrum and has been criticized for comments related to Israel. As of now, neither his campaign nor the Walt Disney Company has provided any comments on the unfolding situation.