ABC Suspends Jimmy Kimmel Live! Amid FCC Pressure Over Shooter Remarks

ABC has indefinitely pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from its Wednesday lineup after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned affiliates of license revocation over the host’s comments about the Utah Valley University shooter, linking him to pro-Trump supporters.

The suspension follows a heated on-air monologue in which Jimmy Kimmel labeled the accused shooter as part of the “MAGA gang” in the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s murder, prompting backlash from ABC affiliates and federal regulators.

ABC affiliates owned by Nexstar and Sinclair pre-empted Wednesday’s taping hours before showtime, citing Carr’s statement that non-compliance could lead to regulatory consequences. Disney then announced the nationwide shelving of Kimmel’s late-night broadcast, effective immediately.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr had publicly threatened license actions against ABC stations unless the network addressed Kimmel’s remarks. Within hours, affiliate groups reported pressure from advertisers and viewers, leading to a coordinated decision to suspend the program.

Celebrities and politicians reacted swiftly. Dave Portnoy defended the decision as “consequences for actions” rather than cancel culture, distinguishing between real-time accountability and targeted online campaigns for past content. In contrast, free-speech advocates and California Governor Gavin Newsom decried the move as censorship and an abuse of government authority.

Kimmel, who rose to fame co-hosting The Man Show in 1999, had built a late-night brand known for political satire and high-profile interviews. Insiders report that staff and booked guests were blindsided by the announcement, with publicists describing the atmosphere on Wednesday as “shell-shocked” and “unreal”.

The network has not announced when-and if-“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will return to the airwaves. ABC cited “serious concerns” about the show’s content amid ongoing FCC scrutiny and indicated that future episodes remain under review.