ABC said it will put “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” back on the air on Tuesday after suspending the program days earlier over comments by its host. Disney said the suspension was lifted after “thoughtful conversations with Jimmy” because some comments were judged “ill-timed and thus insensitive.”
In a Sept. 15 monologue Kimmel said President Trump’s supporters were trying to “score political points” by portraying Charlie Kirk’s accused killer, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, as a left-wing radical and suggested Robinson was “one of them.”
Disney said it paused production “to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country.”
Nexstar, the largest owner of local television stations in the U.S., said it would preempt Kimmel’s show on its affiliates, prompting Disney’s pause. Sinclair Broadcast Group, another major station owner with a conservative editorial reputation, said it would withhold broadcasts until “appropriate steps” were completed.
Sinclair demanded a direct apology to Kirk’s family and a sizable donation to Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr threatened to “take action” against Kimmel and warned “We can do this the easy way or the hard way” during a conversation with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson.
The Trump administration pushed back on claims of government censorship, with Carr telling Dana Loesch “This is about Nexstar and Sinclair vs. Disney” and Trump, who praised ABC for “courage,” saying “He had very bad ratings and they should have fired him a long time ago” and “He was fired for lack of talent.”
More than 400 Hollywood stars signed a letter condemning “threats to our freedom of speech” they say Kimmel’s suspension represents, arguing silencing one voice endangers all. Seth Meyers said free speech “stands above all others” and Republican senator Ted Cruz warned it is “unbelievably dangerous” for government to decide what speech is acceptable.
ABC’s decision to resume the show does not guarantee airing in all markets because Nexstar and Sinclair could maintain their preemptions.
