Jimmy Kimmel, one of the most recognizable names in American late-night television, has had his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live suspended, and yanked off air.
The decision was taken by Disney-owned ABC to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live indefinitely, and, as expected, this has ignited intense debate across political and media circles.
Jimmy Kimmel Live Has Been Taken Off Air
As we have already mentioned, the Jimmy Kimmel Live show has been taken off air and is no longer being televised. And the suspension is indefinitely. This development has left many fans of the show in shock.
The Jimmy Kimmel Live show was suspended after comments he made regarding the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk sparked widespread backlash. Recall that Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while he was addressing a TPUSA debate event at Utah Valley University.
READ ALSO: Tyler Robinson: More Details About Man Accused Of Shooting Charlie Kirk
The tragic incident drew global attention and sparked widespread condemnation of political violence from both domestic and international leaders. In response, the US President, Donald Trump announced that Kirk would be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.
The Uproar That Led To Jimmy Kimmel Getting Suspended
The controversy that led to Jimmy Kimmel being yanked off air began during Kimmel’s Monday night opening monologue, where he criticized conservative figures for what he described as attempts to “score political points” following Charlie Kirk’s murder.
In his remarks, Kimmel suggested that some right-wing voices were quick to place blame on the political left before the suspect’s motives were fully understood.
He went on to mock former President Donald Trump’s reaction to the tragedy, comparing Trump’s grieving to “a four-year-old mourning a goldfish.”
He said:
“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.”
These comments were met with fierce criticism from conservatives, many of whom accused Kimmel of insensitivity and bias.
ABC, FCC, and Media Companies Were Not Pleased With His Comments
Jimmy Kimmel’s comments were not taken lightly by media companies at all. Public uproar also followed as many people slammed Kimmel for his words.
And so, following the uproar that trailed his comments on Charlie Kirk’s murder, ABC confirmed that Jimmy Kimmel Live would be “preempted indefinitely.”
While the network declined to provide further details, the move was reinforced by Nexstar, a major owner of ABC affiliates, which also announced it would stop airing the Jimmy Kimmel Live show.
In addition to this, Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), hinted at possible regulatory action, saying Disney and ABC had obligations to “operate in the public interest.” Carr also praised Nexstar for taking what he called “the right step” in suspending the program.
How Donald Trump Reacted To Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension
The United States President, Donald Trump, who is not a big fan of Jimmy Kimmel, has since reacted to the development. The President welcomed the suspension, calling it “great news for America” and labeling Jimmy Kimmel Live as a “ratings-challenged show.”
He also used the moment to criticize other late-night hosts, including Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, describing them as “losers” with poor viewership.
Trump’s remarks follow a broader trend of political figures targeting late-night television, which has grown increasingly outspoken in its criticism of conservative politics in recent years.
What People Are Saying About The Development
After his program was removed from the air, Jimmy Kimmel was seen leaving the Hollywood Boulevard studio quietly, dressed in a flannel shirt and cap, before departing in a waiting car without addressing reporters.
As expected , the sudden cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live left fans disappointed, many of whom had been lining up to attend the show’s live taping.
One audience member, Janna Blackwell, a tourist visiting from Virginia, told the BBC:
“This is getting ridiculous. Freedom of speech should allow him to share his opinion without being cancelled. To me, that’s bizarre.”
Outside the studio, a small protest emerged, with demonstrators carrying signs including one that read, “Trump must go now.”
Meanwhile, several prominent Hollywood figures came forward to defend Jimmy Kimmel following his suspension. Actor Ben Stiller voiced his support on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “This isn’t right.”
Emmy-winning actress Jean Smart also condemned the decision on Instagram, describing it as “horrifying” and emphasizing, “What Jimmy said was free speech, not hate speech.”
Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis echoed the sentiment, resharing one of Kimmel’s own quotes from earlier this year: “I don’t believe anybody should be cancelled, I really don’t.”
Other stars, including singer John Legend, actor Josh Gad, and actress Alison Brie, also criticized the move. Brie called the cancellation “unreal and very scary,” reflecting the growing unease in Hollywood about the boundaries of free expression.
Who is the Man Behind the Jimmy Kimmel Live Show?
Jimmy Kimmel has risen to become is one of the most recognizable and well-beloved names in American late-night television, having fronted Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC since 2003. His two-decade run makes him one of the longest-serving talk-show hosts currently on air.
Before eventually transitioning to television, Kimmel had already built his career in radio, working in cities such as Seattle, Tampa, and Tucson before moving to Los Angeles, where he found his path to TV success.
Over the years, Jimmy Kimmel has become widely known for his sharp monologues, celebrity interviews, and viral comedy skits. In recent times, his show has taken on a stronger political tone, with Kimmel frequently weighing in on social issues and openly criticizing former President Donald Trump.
Beyond late-night television, Kimmel has hosted high-profile events including the Oscars and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, a role that earned him an Emmy Award.
More recently, reports suggest that Kimmel has scaled back his workload, often taking extended breaks, including summers off. With his current ABC contract set to expire within the next year, speculation continues about whether he will renew or step away after more than 20 years on the network.
When news of his latest contract extension broke, Kimmel joked: “After two decades at ABC, I am now looking forward to three years of what they call ‘quiet quitting.’”
How Popular Is Jimmy Kimmel Live?
While Kimmel remains a household name, Jimmy Kimmel Live has seen its audience decline in line with broader late-night television trends. It is important to note that, like much of traditional television, late-night programming has faced a steady decline in viewership as audiences shift toward streaming platforms and social media.
According to Nielsen, Jimmy Kimmel Live averaged 1.57 million viewers per episode during the broadcast season that concluded in May. By comparison, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert remained the ratings leader in the same period, pulling in an average of 1.9 million viewers per episode.
Data from the U.S. Television Database further highlights the trend. For the ratings period ending August 31, 2025, Jimmy Kimmel Live averaged about 1.1 million viewers per episode, reflecting a 0.35 percent rating. This represented an 11 percent decline from the previous month’s performance.
What’s Next for Jimmy Kimmel?
With his contract at ABC set to expire within the next year, speculation is growing over whether Jimmy Kimmel will return to late-night television or step back after more than two decades on air.
Industry insiders suggest the current controversy could accelerate those decisions, particularly as political divisions in America continue to shape entertainment.
For now, ABC has not provided a timeline for when — or if — Jimmy Kimmel Live will return to air.
