Jimmy Kimmel was photographed in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 18, 2025, a day after ABC pulled "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" from its schedule indefinitely. The photos show Kimmel exiting a vehicle, appearing to be in good spirits despite the controversy surrounding his show.
The abrupt removal of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" occurred after Kimmel made comments on his Monday, September 15 show regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kirk was shot and killed on September 10 while speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley University. Kimmel's remarks addressed the reactions of Donald Trump and his supporters to the tragedy. Kimmel accused the "MAGA gang" of trying to exploit Kirk's death for political gain and mischaracterize the alleged shooter. He also mocked Trump's response, comparing it to "how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish".
These comments triggered a swift and strong response. Nexstar Media Group, a large owner of ABC-affiliated stations, announced it would preempt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on its stations, citing Kimmel's remarks as "offensive and insensitive". Sinclair Broadcast Group, another major station owner, followed suit, also demanding a public apology and a donation to Kirk's family and Turning Point USA. Subsequently, ABC made the decision to pull the show from its national schedule indefinitely.
The move has ignited a fierce debate, encompassing issues of free speech, censorship, and political influence in media. Supporters of Kimmel have decried the suspension as censorship, while others argue it was a justified response to insensitive comments. Celebrities and commentators have taken to social media to express their views, further fueling the controversy.
Donald Trump has publicly applauded ABC's decision, stating that Kimmel "has ZERO talent" and that the network "finally hav[ing] the courage to do what had to be done". Trump also claimed Kimmel was fired due to bad ratings. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr had also warned that the network and its local affiliates could face repercussions if Kimmel was not punished.
The indefinite suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" raises questions about the future of the show and Kimmel's relationship with ABC. Kimmel's contract with Disney, ABC's parent company, expires in May 2026. Some reports suggest that Kimmel's representatives are in discussions with Disney executives regarding the situation.
The situation also highlights the broader tensions surrounding political discourse and media bias. Some observers suggest that the suspension reflects a growing trend of conservative efforts to police speech and exert influence over the media landscape. Others point to the FCC's role and the potential impact of media mergers on editorial decisions.
