On Monday, Sinclair Inc., the second-largest local news provider in the U.S., revealed that its ABC affiliate will be airing news programming instead of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show starting Tuesday.
The company stated on social media that “Jimmy Kimmel Live” will be replaced with news segments. Kimmel is set to return on Tuesday after being suspended indefinitely by ABC and Disney the previous Wednesday.
Sinclair noted that discussions with ABC are continuing as they assess the show’s potential future.
Kimmel’s suspension followed accusations from conservatives who claimed he attempted to exploit the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk for political gain. He also made a joke about former President Trump grieving a conservative activist’s murder, likening it to how “a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
This followed Nexstar Media Group’s announcement that it would preempt Kimmel’s show at its ABC affiliates. Nexstar is the largest local news provider in the country.
ABC/Disney and Nexstar received a statement from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr, who spoke to conservative commentator Benny Johnson last Wednesday, suggesting a need to “stop this garbage” from reaching audiences in the future.
Carr later voiced support for Kimmel’s suspension, stating on social media that the station maintains the right to refrain from airing national programs that conflict with community values.
His comments triggered backlash from various lawmakers, including some Senate Democrats and Republicans like Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and Mitch McConnell. Additionally, a group of Senate Democrats on the Commerce Committee called for Cruz to summon the FCC Chairman to testify regarding Carr’s perceived threats to use regulatory powers concerning Kimmel’s suspension.
On Monday, Carr accused Democrats of waging a “prediction and distortion campaign” regarding the FCC’s involvement in the situation.
In a statement to the media, Disney explained that the decision to suspend Kimmel was made to mitigate further inflammatory tensions during this emotionally charged time in the country.
