In a dramatic turn of events, comedian and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is facing a deepening crisis over his on-air remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Broadcasting giant Sinclair, which controls the nation’s largest group of ABC affiliates, has laid out strict conditions for Kimmel’s return to air — including a public apology to Kirk’s family and a personal financial donation to both the family and Kirk’s nonprofit, Turning Point USA.
The controversy erupted shortly after ABC announced on September 17 that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be pulled “indefinitely”, following backlash from viewers, political leaders, and advocacy groups. Sinclair quickly followed with its own announcement, amplifying the fallout and raising questions about free speech, corporate responsibility, and the role of media companies in moderating political commentary.
Sinclair’s Statement: “Inappropriate and Insensitive”
In a press release, Jason Smith, Vice Chairman of Sinclair Broadcast Group, condemned Kimmel’s remarks as “inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country.”
Smith continued:
“We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities. Mr. Kimmel’s remarks fell far short of that responsibility.”
Sinclair also pointed to the broader regulatory landscape, voicing appreciation for comments by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, and calling for immediate regulatory action to address what it described as disproportionate control of local broadcasters by major national networks.
As part of its immediate response, Sinclair confirmed that its ABC affiliates in 30 major U.S. markets — including Seattle, Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Tulsa, and Portland — would replace Kimmel’s program with a “special in remembrance” of Charlie Kirk on Friday, extending through the weekend.
The Conditions for Kimmel’s Return
Sinclair’s press release outlined three conditions that must be met before Jimmy Kimmel Live! can return to its ABC stations:
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Formal discussions with ABC executives about the network’s “commitment to professionalism and accountability.”
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A direct public apology to the Kirk family.
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A meaningful personal donation to both the Kirk family and Turning Point USA, Kirk’s nonprofit that promotes conservative activism on high school, college, and university campuses.
“Regardless of ABC’s plans for the future of the program,” Sinclair’s statement concluded, “we will not return Jimmy Kimmel Live! to air until we are confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform.”
ABC and Nexstar Also Move Against Kimmel
Sinclair was not the only broadcasting powerhouse to take action. Disney’s ABC confirmed to People that the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! was “indefinite.” Meanwhile, Nexstar Media Group — the largest local broadcast and digital media company in the U.S. — announced that it too would preempt Kimmel’s program across its more than 200 television stations in 116 markets.
A Nexstar spokesperson explained:
“Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse. Continuing to give Mr. Kimmel a broadcast platform is simply not in the public interest.”
Andrew Alford, Nexstar’s President of Broadcasting, expanded on the reasoning:
“His remarks do not reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located. We have made the difficult decision to preempt his show in an effort to let cooler heads prevail as we move toward the resumption of respectful, constructive dialogue.”
What Sparked the Backlash?
On the September 15 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel directly addressed the murder of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA who was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10.
Kimmel criticized attempts by political actors to distance the suspected shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, from certain ideological affiliations.
“We hit 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 doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said.
He also played a clip of Donald Trump, who had been asked outside the White House how he was holding up in the wake of Kirk’s death. Trump responded:
“I think very good, and by the way, right there where you see all the trucks, they just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House… It’ll be an absolutely magnificent structure.”
Mocking the pivot, Kimmel quipped:
“He’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction. This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
The joke was met with sharp criticism, particularly from conservative viewers and Kirk’s supporters, who viewed it as deeply disrespectful in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy.
Charlie Kirk’s Legacy and the Impact of His Death
Charlie Kirk was a high-profile conservative commentator and activist, widely known for his outspoken defense of former President Trump and his criticism of progressive policies. At the time of his death, he was on the first leg of his “American Comeback Tour.”
His death, witnessed by an audience of roughly 3,000 people, sent shockwaves through the political landscape. Tributes poured in from conservative allies and world leaders, while debate intensified around political violence in America.
Kirk left behind his wife, Erika Kirk, and their two young children.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Mixed Responses
While Kimmel’s on-air comments drew outrage, he also posted on social media following Kirk’s death, offering condolences to the family:
“Instead of the angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human? On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence.”
Despite this, Sinclair and Nexstar have signaled that such statements are not enough, insisting on more concrete gestures of accountability.
Industry and Political Fallout
The combined weight of Sinclair and Nexstar’s actions represents a significant blow for Kimmel, whose late-night show has long been a staple of ABC’s programming. Together, the two companies control more than 300 stations, reaching tens of millions of households nationwide.
The controversy also underscores the tension between entertainers’ freedom of expression and broadcasters’ responsibility to reflect community standards. With the FCC chair weighing in, the debate has taken on regulatory and political dimensions.
Observers note that the situation could set a precedent for how networks respond to controversial remarks by high-profile hosts in the future.
What Comes Next?
For now, Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains suspended, with no timetable for its return. Sinclair has made clear that the show will not air again on its stations until Kimmel issues a public apology and makes a personal donation to both the Kirk family and Turning Point USA.
The comedian has not yet responded publicly to these demands. Meanwhile, ABC faces mounting pressure from both political leaders and viewers, as critics on both sides of the aisle debate whether the suspension constitutes accountability or censorship.
As the fallout continues, one thing is certain: the clash between Jimmy Kimmel, broadcasting giants, and America’s polarized political culture is far from over.
Adrian Hawthorne is a celebrated author and dedicated archivist who finds inspiration in the hidden stories of the past. Educated at Oxford, he now works at the National Archives, where preserving history fuels his evocative writing. Balancing archival precision with creative storytelling, Adrian founded the Hawthorne Institute of Literary Arts to mentor emerging writers and honor the timeless art of narrative.