ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s show after his remarks concerning the death of Charlie Kirk sparked reactions throughout the entertainment and political communities, including from President Donald Trump.
Stephen Colbert, another late-night host, received the news while filming an episode in New York. Addressing a surprised studio audience, he announced that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” had been put on hold.
Audience member Monserrat Lopez described the scene as a blend of amazement and confusion, with Colbert briefly leaving the stage before returning to declare that he would contact Kimmel directly for a private discussion.
Earlier in the summer, CBS stated that Colbert’s “Late Show” would conclude next year due to budgetary issues—a decision made shortly after Colbert criticized a settlement involving Trump and CBS’s parent company regarding a “60 Minutes” story.
During Kimmel’s Monday night monologue, he suggested that the suspect in Kirk’s killing might have been a pro-Trump Republican.
The suspension of Kimmel’s show followed Nexstar Communications Group’s announcement to remove the program from its 23 ABC affiliates starting Wednesday. The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission deemed Kimmel’s statements “truly sick” and suggested his agency had ample grounds to hold Kimmel, ABC, and the network’s parent company, Walt Disney Co., accountable for disseminating false information.
There was no immediate comment from Kimmel, whose contract is up in May 2026. In its statement announcing the suspension, ABC didn’t cite a reason.
Here’s are some other notable reactions posted on social media:
Trump
Trump took to social media to express his delight, saying, “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,” referring to late-night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers. “Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT”
Neither Fallon nor Meyers had commented publicly about Trump’s post as of Thursday.
Former President Barack Obama
“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 — and media companies need to start standing up rather than capitulating to it.”
Brendan Carr, FCC chairman
“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.”
Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee chairman
“The state under Donald Trump has amassed a chilling record of restricting speech, extorting private companies, and dropping the full weight of the government censorship hammer on First Amendment rights. This is no exaggeration. Trump’s attorney general has directly confirmed that they’ll come after you for your speech, and now his FCC chair has doubled down. It’s not the bully pulpit anymore — it’s the thought police presidency.”
Wanda Sykes, comedian
“I was supposed to go over and have a chat with my friend Jimmy Kimmel on his show, but as you have heard by now, the Jimmy Kimmel Show has been pulled indefinitely. Abruptly, because 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. Hey, for those of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you Jimmy.”
Megyn Kelly, conservative podcaster
“I’m not sure who needs to hear this but Jimmy Kimmel got on the air and falsely stated as a fact that Charlie Kirk’s killer was MAGA, smearing an entire movement and Trump in particular with a vile disgusting lie — and at a time when the threat against those on the right is at an all-time high.”
Kelly was fired from her NBC morning show in 2018 after suggesting it was OK for white people to wear blackface at Halloween.
Jean Smart, actor
“I am 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?”
Mike Birbiglia, comedian
“I’ve spent a lot of time in public & private defending comedians I don’t agree with. If you’re a comedian & you don’t call out the insanity of pulling Kimmel off the air — don’t bother spouting off about free speech anymore.”
Mark R. Levin, conservative radio host and podcaster
“Kimmel canned for disgusting Kirk comments. … Jimmy Kimmel is a pathetic hate monger. He should’ve been canned a long time ago. Better late than never.”
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This story was updated to correct the spelling of Seth Meyers’ and Barack Obama’s names.
