Jimmy Kimmel Suspended 'Indefinitely' Over Charlie Kirk Comments: See Monologue, Stars & Politicians Reactions

The decision comes after Kimmel's comments drew the ire of FCC chairman Brendan Carr, and shortly after Nexstar Media, one of the largest owners of TV stations in the country, announced they would "preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! for the foreseeable future beginning with tonight’s show" on all their "owned and partner television stations affiliated with the ABC Television Network."

"Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets," they added.

The FCC chair went on a podcast Wednesday, per The Hollywood Reporter, where he said that affiliates should "push back" on ABC and tell the network, "Listen, we’re not going to run Kimmel anymore until you straighten this out because we’re running the possibility of license revocation from the FCC if we continue to run content that ends up being a pattern of news distortion."

Rolling Stone magazine reported, citing two sources familiar with the situation, that senior executives at ABC and Disney, as well as affiliates, convened emergency meetings to try and minimize the damage. In those meetings, per the outlet, multiple executives reportedly did not think Kimmel had said anything over the line, "but the threat of Trump administration retaliation loomed."

"I want to thank Nexstar for doing the right thing," Carr wrote in a statement after the decision. "Local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest. While this may be an unprecedented decision, it is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that they determine falls short of community values. I hope that other broadcasters follow Nexstar’s lead."

The Hollywood Reporter notes that Nexstar is currently seeking FCC approval for a $6.2 billion deal to acquire Tegna, a deal that would extend Nexstar's status as the largest owner of local TV stations in the country. The FCC would have to raise the current 40 percent ownership cap for the deal to advance.

A source for THR further suggested that another broadcast group had also reached out to ABC over Kimmel's show, suggesting a possible "affiliate revolt may have played a role in the decision." Shortly after it was announced, Sinclair Broadcast Group outed itself as that second group.

After the decision, Sinclair Broadcast Group, which is the largest owner of local television stations affiliated with Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC, and The CW, echoed Nexstar's stance against Kimmel's show in a statement calling for even more action from the FCC, ABC, and Kimmel himself.

Sinclair touted its status as "the nation's largest ABC affiliate group" and said that they had discussed with ABC yesterday their decision to "indefinitely preempt" Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which was followed by the network's decision to suspend the show "indefinitely."

"Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country," said Sinclair Vice Chairman Jason Smith. "We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities. We appreciate FCC Chairman Carr’s remarks today and this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks."

Sinclair said that in place of Kimmel's program on Friday, all of its affiliate stations would be airing a Charlie Kirk remembrance special, adding that this special will be made available to all ABC affiliates across the nation.

The station then laid out an ultimatum, stating that Kimmel would not be reinstated on any of its stations "until formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability." Sinclair also said it "calls upon Mr. Kimmel to issue a direct apology to the Kirk family," and "make a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk Family and Turning Point USA."

"Regardless of ABC’s plans for the future of the program, Sinclair intends not to return Jimmy Kimmel Live! to our air until we are confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform," the company concluded its message.

During his show on Monday night, Kimmel, in his opening monologue, said, "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."

He then shifted his attention to President Donald Trump's reaction to Kirk's assassination.

A source for THR said that Kimmel had no plans to apologize, feeling that his comments did not require an apology, but that he did plan to address the backlash on Wednesday night's show. He had planned to explain what he'd said and demonstrate how it was being taken out of context.

Watch Kimmel's full monologue below.

Soon after the suspension was announced, Donald Trump gloated on Truth Social, writing, "Great news for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that's possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!!"

Vice President J.D. Vance quipped on X, "Everyone please congratulate @marcorubio, the new host of ABC's late night show!"

The Writers Guild of America, however, released a statement that it "stands with Jimmy Kimmel and his writers."

"The right to speak our minds and to disagree with each other -- to disturb, even -- is at the very heart of what it means to be a free people. It is not to be denied. Not by violence, not by the abuse of governmental power, nor by acts of corporate cowardice," the statement insisted.

"As a Guild, we stand united in opposition to anyone who uses their power and influence to silence the voices of writers, or anyone who speaks in dissent. If free speech applied only to ideas we like, we needn't have bothered to write it into the Constitution. What we have signed on to -- painful as it may be at times -- is the freeing agreement to disagree," the organization continued. "Shame on those in government who forget this founding truth. As for our employers, our words have made you rich. Silencing us impoverishes the whole world."

SAG-AFTRA also spoke out against the decision, writing that it "condemns the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! Our society depends on freedom of expression. Suppression of free speech and retaliation for speaking out on significant issues of public concern run counter to the fundamental rights we all rely on. Democracy thrives when diverse points of view are expressed."

"The decision to suspend airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! is the type of suppression and retaliation that endangers everyone's freedoms," the union continued. "SAG-AFTRA stands will all media artists and defends their right to express their diverse points of view, and everyone's rights to hear them."

The union representing Kimmel's band also spoke out against what it called FCC pressure in a statement: "This is not complicated: Trump's FCC identified speech it did not like and threatened ABC with extreme reprisals. This is state censorship. It is now happening in the United States of America, not some far-off country. It's happening right here and right now."

"This act by the Trump administration represents a direct attack on free speech and artistic expression. These are fundamental rights that we must protect in a free society," the statement continued. "The American Federation of Musicians strongly condemns the decision to take Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air. We stand in solidarity with all those who will be without work because of governmental overreach."

Former President Obama spoke out against the decision, taking to X on Thursday to write, "After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like."

"This is precisely the kind of government coercion that the First Amendment was designed to prevent," he continued, "and media companies need to start standing up rather than capitulating to it."

California Governor Gavin Newson took to X to write, "Buying and controlling media platforms. Firing commentators. Canceling shows. These aren’t coincidences. It’s coordinated. And it’s dangerous. The GOP does not believe in free speech. They are censoring you in real time."

California Senator Adam Schiff added, "Kimmel. Colbert. Suits against the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and 60 Minutes. Extorting settlements from CBS, ABC, and others. Blocking the AP's access to the White House. This administration is responsible for the most blatant attacks on the free press in American history. What will be left of the First Amendment when he’s done?"

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote on X, "First Colbert, now Kimmel. Last-minute settlements, secret side deals, multi-billion dollar mergers pending Donald Trump's approval. Trump silencing free speech stifles our democracy. It sure looks like giant media companies are enabling his authoritarianism."

Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crocket also posted, "Kimmel hurts MAGA’S feelings by holding a mirror up & so the first amendment is out the window and his show is pulled… who is going to tell them that, that is the definition of being a snowflake… as well as supporting anti-democratic ideals? (Not patriotic at all)."

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy took to X to write, "This is a massive, history making abuse of your power. It will define your legacy and one day you will come to regret punishing free speech and trying to destroy democracy."

Wanda Sykes, who was scheduled to be a guest on the show Wednesday night, jumped on her Instagram "in a full face of makeup" with her reaction to the sudden suspension, which she said came as a result of "complaints from the Trump administration."

"So let's see, he didn't end the Ukraine war, or solve Gaza within his first week, but he did end freedom of speech within his first year," she said in her video. "Hey, for those of you who pray, now's the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy."

Michael Keaton took to Instagram in a since-deleted message to all the networks -- posting a handwritten note reading, "ABC, NBC, CBS, STAND UP!!! STAND THE F--- UP!"

Comedian Mike Birbiglia also opted for a handwritten note in which he told his fellow comics to stand up for Kimmel. "I’ve spent a lot of time in public and private defending comedians I don’t agree with," the message read. "If you're a comedian and you don’t call out the insanity of pulling Kimmel off the air -- don't bother spouting off about free speech anymore."

Kathy Griffin weighed in, as well, sharing a message to her Instagram: "Please, take it from me, it is very important to have Jimmy Kimmel's back right now. Be vocal. Be an ideological consumer. Money is all their crowd cares about."

Ben Stiller took to X, writing, "This isn't right."

Sophia Bush posted, "The First Amendment doesn't exist in America anymore. Period. Fascism is here and it's chilling."

Jean Smart posted a lengthy comment to her Instagram where she said she was "horrified at the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live. What Jimmy said was FREE speech, not hate speech. People seem to only want to protect free speech when it suits THEIR agenda. Though I didn’t agree at ALL with Charlie Kirk; his shooting death sickened me; and should have sickened any decent human being. What is happening to our country?"

Megyn Kelly shared her reaction to X, writing, "Just think for a minute about the amount of IRATE mail/viewer feedback they must have gotten to do this."

MSNBC's Chris Hayes added, "This is the most straightforward attack on free speech from state actors I've ever seen in my life and it's not even close."

Don Lemon commented on Threads, "This is the same party that complains everything is too woke, that comedians can’t say anything anymore, that they’re killing comedy. But the folks who complain about killing comedy are the ones killing comedy. What does that tell you? They don’t believe in anything they’re saying. They have no core. This is some scary s--t." In his caption he added that "this should send a chill down everyone's spine in America."

See more celebrity reactions below:

A number of other celebrities also commented on Variety's coverage of the suspension on Instagram.

"What the actual f," exclaimed comedian Margaret Cho, while The Bachelor's Colton Underwood added, "This can’t be coming from the party that made its entire identity free speech and no more cancel culture."

Former Grey's Anatomy star Giacomo Gianniotti wrote, "I thought they like 'free speech,'" as 13 Reasons Why alum Tommy Dorfman commented, "We're cooked."

Jonathan Van Ness from Queer Eye simply wrote, "Wow," as Mayim Bialik added, "NOT GOOD" and Lukas Gage commented, "Growww uppp."

Last Wednesday, Kirk had been speaking at a student Q&A at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, when he was shot and killed by a sniper from a nearby building. The shooting occurred when Kirk was debating gun violence. He was 31.

On Friday, 22-year-old Utah man Tyler Robinson was identified as Kirk's alleged shooter. He was taken into custody at 10 p.m. local time on Thursday night after he turned himself in alongside his parents and a family friend. Robinson has been charged with one count each of Aggravated Murder, Felony Discharge of a Firearm, and Violence Offense Committed in the Presence of a Child, as well as two counts each of Witness Tampering and Obstructing Justice.