Fallout Continues as ABC Suspends Jimmy Kimmel “Indefinitely” For Crass Kirk Cracks

Clearly in fear of another lawsuit from President Trump, ABC has announced that it has suspended late-night talk show host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel over comments he has made about the horrific death of Charlie Kirk.

The news was first broken by The Hollywood Reporter.

An ABC spokesperson told the well-known entertainment outlet that Jimmy Kimmel Live! Will be “pre-empted indefinitely.”

The move comes after Kimmel said on his Monday 9/15 broadcast, “We had some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it.”

Since the news about Kimmel’s firing broke, it has ignited a firestorm about free speech and government involvement in the media, with both support for the comedian and for his ouster.

Actor Rob Schneider posted about the news on X, “I don’t want to hear about someone getting upset for losing a ‘show.’ When they weren’t upset about a young father getting murdered for having conversations…”

During an appearance on “The Will Cain Show” on Thursday, Schneider elaborated on how he feels about the decision to suspend “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” indefinitely. 

“I woke up this morning to the incredible shock that apparently TV shows are not guaranteed in our constitution. I mean, wow. So that was tough to swallow first. Second, I’m still waiting for the left, the liberals, to get outraged about Roseanne getting fired for her free speech,” he said on the show.

Barr was cut loose from her own self-titled sitcom by ABC over a tweet perceived by many as racist, despite massive ratings for the revival of the ’80s and ’90s smash-hit series “Roseanne.”

While “Hercules” star Kevin Sorbo didn’t mention Kimmel by name, his reaction to the late-night shakeup was clear. Sorbo took to X and posted, “I sure miss Johnny Carson. He was the best! Jay Leno takes a close 2nd place!”— as he appeared to take a jab at the current state of late-night TV.

The late night host, whose eponymous show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” debuted on ABC in 2003, faces an uncertain future at the network after he claimed the gunman who killed conservative icon Charlie Kirk was a MAGA supporter — a false claim that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr called “some of the sickest conduct possible.”

Meanwhile, other Hollywood stars rallied behind Kimmel, calling the move a major blow to comedy. Christie Brinkley posted a photo of several late-night hosts, including Kimmel, on her Instagram Story.

“Love these guys,” she wrote over the photo. “The laughter they provide us is as important as the air we breath[e]! And they are taking another one of them off the air tonight! WE MUST PROTECT their and OUR 1st [Amendment] RIGHTS!!!!”

Comedian Wanda Sykes revealed she had been scheduled to appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Wednesday night. 

“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,” Sykes said in an Instagram video. 

As to the President’s reaction, Donald Trump praised Disney’s decision to pre-empt Kimmel’s late-night show as “great news for America.”

Trump, who has long criticized Kimmel along with other late-night hosts, celebrated the news on his Truth Social account. Kimmel has long been a fierce Trump critic.

“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 [Fallon] and Seth [Meyers], two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it, NBC!!! President DJT,” Trump wrote.

Adding “I think [FCC Chair] Brendan Carr is outstanding, he’s a patriot,” said Trump, who nominated Carr to his position.

“He loves our country, and he’s a tough guy. So we’ll have to see.”