In a striking turn of events, President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed ABC's decision to indefinitely suspend late-night host Jimmy Kimmel following controversial remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
According to The Hill, the controversy erupted after Kimmel's Monday monologue, leading to his suspension on Wednesday, with Trump and others reacting strongly to the comedian's comments through social media and public statements.
The incident began on Monday when Jimmy Kimmel, host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on ABC, delivered a monologue that included sharp criticism of conservatives. During the segment, Kimmel accused them of attempting to gain political advantage from the death of Charlie Kirk, a well-known conservative activist. He also made a pointed jest about Trump’s reaction to Kirk’s passing, likening it to a child’s sadness over a pet.
Specifically, Kimmel remarked that Trump mourned Kirk’s death "like a 4-year-old mourns the death of a goldfish." This comment quickly drew ire from various quarters, including Trump’s Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr. Nexstar Media Group, a major provider of local news and owner of The Hill, also condemned Kimmel’s statements.
By Wednesday, ABC had taken decisive action, announcing the indefinite suspension of Kimmel from his late-night slot. The network’s move came amid mounting pressure following the widespread criticism of the comedian’s remarks. Kimmel, a long-standing critic of Trump and his political allies, has often used his platform to voice opposition to conservative figures.
President Trump wasted no time in responding to ABC’s decision, taking to Truth Social to express his approval. He hailed the suspension as "Great News for America" and praised ABC for its resolve. Trump further stated, "Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done."
In his posts, Trump did not hold back on his personal critique of Kimmel’s abilities as a host. He described the comedian as having "ZERO talent" and claimed Kimmel’s show had dismal viewership. Trump even compared Kimmel unfavorably to another late-night host, asserting that his ratings were "worse than even Colbert, if that’s possible."
Trump’s commentary extended beyond Kimmel, targeting other late-night personalities on rival networks. He suggested that NBC should consider removing hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers from their shows. Labeling them as "two total losers, on Fake News NBC," Trump criticized their viewership as "horrible" and urged the network to act.
The White House rapid response team also weighed in, celebrating Kimmel’s suspension through social media channels. They expressed support for ABC’s decision, stating that the network was "doing their viewers a favor." In a scathing remark, the team added, "Jimmy is a sick freak!"
Kimmel’s suspension is not an isolated event in the context of his relationship with Trump. The comedian has been a vocal detractor of the president and his associates for years. This ongoing feud has often played out publicly, with both sides exchanging sharp barbs.
Earlier this summer, Trump had hinted at potential consequences for Kimmel’s career. Following Paramount’s announcement to end "The Late Show" with Stephen Colbert, Trump suggested Kimmel might face a similar fate. He openly mused that Kimmel could be "next" to lose his platform.
The suspension of Kimmel raises broader questions about the state of late-night television and its intersection with politics. Hosts like Kimmel often navigate a fine line between humor and controversy when addressing sensitive topics. ABC’s decision could set a precedent for how networks handle such situations in the future.
The public response to Kimmel’s suspension has been mixed, with some supporting ABC’s action and others decrying it as censorship. Industry observers are watching closely to see if this event will influence the tone of late-night programming. Meanwhile, Kimmel has not issued a public statement regarding his suspension as of yet.
This incident has also reignited discussions about free speech and the boundaries of comedic commentary. Critics of the suspension argue that Kimmel’s remarks, while provocative, fall within the realm of satire. Supporters of ABC’s move, however, believe the comments crossed a line by exploiting a tragic event for humor. As the situation unfolds, the future of Kimmel’s tenure at ABC remains uncertain. The indefinite nature of the suspension leaves open the possibility of a return, contingent on network decisions. For now, the late-night slot on ABC will likely see temporary changes in programming.