Jimmy Kimmel Show Canceled After Comments On Charlie Kirk

Rachel Thompson
By Rachel Thompson

September 17, 2025   •   Fact checked by Dumb Little Man

Yes, you read that right. The Jimmy Kimmel Show Canceled announcement has rocked late night TV like never before. ABC pulled the plug on Jimmy Kimmel Live after his controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk. ABC pulled ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!‘ off the air indefinitely after outrage over its host's comments about the killing of Charlie Kirk. This wasn’t some rumor—it literally happened mid-air. ABC affiliates cut the feed during the monologue, replacing it with filler programming. Viewers saw the show vanish live, sparking chaos on social media.

The shock came after Mr Kimmel made remarks that some found offensive and insensitive at a critical time. Outrage spread fast across social media posts, and it didn’t take long for ABC’s announcement to drop. Yes, the Kimmel show is cancelled for the foreseeable future.

But let’s be real—this wasn’t just another TV scandal. We’re talking breaking news headlines, statements from FCC Chair Brendan Carr, cheers from the MAGA gang, and even President Donald Trump weighing in. Trump called it “great news for America.” Predictable, right?

Jimmy Kimmel Show Canceled: The Exact Comments That Sparked The Outrage

This breaking news unfolded when Kimmel said during his opening monologue: Kimmel’s comments were made during a monologue addressing the shooting of Charlie Kirk, which drew significant backlash. The controversy, now widely referred to as the ‘Charlie Kirk comments,' quickly sparked outrage across social media and news outlets.

“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”

Then came the line critics labeled cruel:

“This is how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish.”

He was mocking President Donald Trump’s response to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Jimmy Kimmel criticized President Donald Trump’s reaction to news of Charlie Kirk’s death during his monologue. For critics, this went beyond late night snark. These were Kimmel's comments about the death of a political figure, made at an insensitive at a critical time, and broadcast on national TV. The fact that Kimmel, a broadcast platform with significant reach, aired these remarks only intensified the controversy.

As soon as those words aired, producers reportedly scrambled. Within minutes, multiple ABC affiliated markets cut the feed. By the second commercial break, affiliates moved to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live altogether. Viewers suddenly saw reruns of Disney programming, local weather updates, or blank slates. That’s how sudden it was.

ALSO READ: Charlie Kirk Dead? Here’s What Actually Went Down

Corporate And Regulatory Fallout

ABC's announcement to suspend Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show following his controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk set off a wave of reactions across the industry.

The backlash wasn’t just online noise. FCC Chair Brendan Carr condemned the remarks, stressing that broadcasters must operate in the public interest. He hinted that ABC’s broadcast platform itself could be in jeopardy if they continued to give Mr Kimmel airtime. Carr said the show failed to reflect the spectrum of community values and risked violating their license obligations. Broadcast decisions must consider a range of opinions, views, or values to ensure they represent the broader public interest.

Then came Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar Media Group. His statement was blunt: Kimmel’s words did not believe they reflect the values of the local communities. Nexstar Media announced it would stop airing ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ due to Kimmel’s comments being offensive and insensitive. Nexstar’s broadcasting division immediately announced they would drop the program, emphasizing its role in evaluating whether programming aligns with community standards and public interest. That decision sent shockwaves across ABC and its affiliates.

The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel finally faced the corporate hammer. This wasn’t an ad boycott or a trending hashtag. This was a network cutting ties in real time.

President Donald Trump, The MAGA Gang, And The Celebration

When Kimmel said those lines, the MAGA gang desperately wanted payback. They got it. President Donald Trump wasted no time. On Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to pull him. This is great news for America.” Donald Trump and his supporters celebrated the cancellation of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’, calling it ‘great news for America’ and claiming it was a step to make America great again.

Of course, Trump also couldn’t resist trashing the entire late night host lineup—Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers—calling them zero talent and part of the untalented late night sweepstakes. For Trump and the MAGA gang, this was the ultimate win in the culture wars. His social media post quickly went viral, sparking widespread discussion and prompting immediate reactions from both supporters and critics.

But let’s not pretend this was some heroic moment. This was pure politics. The MAGA gang desperately trying to weaponize Kimmel’s slip proves their obsession with scoring points, not seeking truth. This isn’t about decency—it’s about control of the conversation. In the broader media debate, accusations like “fake news NBC” are often used to discredit outlets seen as biased, fueling ongoing distrust and polarization.

Ratings Challenged Jimmy Kimmel and Late Night TV Under Fire

This cancellation raises a bigger issue: the decline of late night as a safe comedy zone. The late night show format has been limping for years. Now, with the Jimmy Kimmel Live! Show is cancelled, the cracks are impossible to ignore.

When Kimmel said those remarks, he wasn’t doing comedy. He was trying to score political points, and it backfired. But here’s the thing—so are his critics. The MAGA gang framed it as proof that late night hosts push politics over humor. Even Colbert is being dragged into the storm. If ABC could cut Kimmel, networks could just as easily dump others.

Even mainstream critics admit this could push a move toward the resumption of more balanced programming. There is a growing call for late night TV to reflect the full spectrum of opinions, views, or values, ensuring that a variety of perspectives are represented. Maybe a resumption of respectful constructive dialogue, though whether that actually happens is anyone’s guess. Still, ABC pulling one of its longest-running stars proves no broadcast platform in the communities is untouchable.

What Happens Next?

Right now, ABC is scrambling to fill the slot. Some insiders suggest they might lean on reruns or new experimental content. Others speculate they could try another late night show. Market data suggests curiosity is high, and networks love eyeballs, even for controversy.

The controversy has deepened with Tyler Robinson, who has been charged with the murder of Charlie Kirk. Robinson's political leanings and the debate over his motives have fueled further speculation and intensified the ongoing national conversation.

As for Mr Kimmel, his future is shaky. He might find another broadcast platform, but the backlash is brutal. For now, executives are making an effort to let cooler heads prevail. But the anger around Kimmel’s comments isn’t cooling quickly.

With President Donald celebrating, Nexstar Media stepping back, and regulators like FCC ahead leaning in, this saga has officially become part of the national political discourse. And like it or not, the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live is now more than TV—it’s politics, it’s culture, and it’s about who controls the mic at a critical time.

One thing is certain: the headline Jimmy Kimmel Show Canceled will echo for the foreseeable future beginning now. Whether this marks the end of Kimmel or the start of a new constructive dialogue, we’ve just witnessed history live on a Monday night.

UP NEXT: Obama Warns Democrats to Quit Playing Nice With Trump

Rachel Thompson
Rachel Thompson

Rachel Thompson is a pop culture columnist and entertainment writer known for her spicy takes and sharp sense of humor. With a degree in communications and a decade of reporting experience, Rachel offers behind-the-scenes insight on celebrity news, reality TV scandals, and viral social media drama. Her writing is equal parts sass and substance—giving readers the lowdown on what happened, why it matters, and how it reflects today’s cultural shifts. She covers everything from red carpet controversies to influencer fallouts, always with a punchy, engaging tone that keeps readers hooked. Rachel has appeared on pop culture podcasts and has contributed to digital platforms that thrive on trending topics. When she’s not analyzing the latest celebrity beef, she’s deep-diving into nostalgic Y2K media or hosting binge-watch nights with her crew. Rachel’s content is for readers who want the tea, but also the context.

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