Jimmy Kimmel
Credit: Reuters Photo
Walt Disney-owned ABC on Wednesday said that it is taking off "Jimmy Kimmel Live" from air indefinitely following the remarks the late-night host made about Charlie Kirk's assassination came under harsh criticism.
Earlier, Nexstar Media Group Inc said it would stop airing the show on its 32 ABC affiliates, citing comments that Kimmel made.
“Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse,” said Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division.
Earlier on Wednesday, FCC Chair Brendan Carr had urged local broadcasters to stop airing the show on ABC.
In the show 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' on Monday, he criticised Republicans who allegedly sought to politicise the shooting. "We hit some new lows over the weekend with the Maga gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it," he said.
Kimmel also spoke about the shooting in his show.
"The MAGA gang (is) 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," said Kimmel, referring to the president's "Make America Great Again" movement.
Reacting on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump praised ABC’s decision. He said, "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."
With inputs from Reuters