Crystal Charles
ABC has suspended late-night host Jimmy Kimmel indefinitely following remarks he made about the shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
The Disney-owned network announced on Thursday that Jimmy Kimmel Live “will be pre-empted indefinitely.” Kimmel did not issue a public comment as he left the studio in Los Angeles shortly after the decision.
During his Sept. 15 monologue, Kimmel said the “MAGA gang” was exploiting Kirk’s death for political gain, adding: “The MAGA gang [is] desperately trying to characterise 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 also criticised flags being flown at half-mast in Kirk’s honour and mocked U.S. President Donald Trump’s reaction to the killing. “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish,” Kimmel said.
Kimmel, however, had condemned the attack on Sept. 12, the day Kirk was shot, writing on Instagram that he sent “love” to the 31-year-old’s family.
A 22-year-old suspect has since appeared in court charged with aggravated murder.
President Trump celebrated ABC’s move, writing on social media Thursday: “The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.”