NEW YORK (AP) — ABC will reinstate Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show after the network pulled the host off the air indefinitely in the wake of criticism over Kimmel’s comments concerning the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this month. Network officials stated that they had thoughtful conversations with Jimmy and determined to bring the show back on Tuesday.
Kimmel’s comments did not focus on Kirk's death itself but rather on the broader response from what Kimmel referred to as Trump's MAGA Gang. Following Kimmel's remarks, two of ABC's major affiliate owners, Nexstar and Sinclair, pulled the show from their stations, prompting ABC's decision to suspend it.
In response to Kimmel’s reinstatement, Andrew Kolvert, spokesperson for Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, stated that Disney and ABC caving and allowing Kimmel back on the air is not surprising, but it’s their mistake to make. Nexstar and Sinclair do not have to make the same choice.
ABC had initially refrained from elaborating on the reasons for the suspension. Upon revisiting the decision, The Walt Disney Co. clarified that their choice aimed at avoiding further inflaming an already tense situation in the country. They deemed some of Kimmel’s comments ill-timed.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr labeled Kimmel’s comments as “truly sick” and hinted at potential repercussions for the network if Kimmel was not penalized, although he later distanced himself from any threats regarding license revocations.
As Kimmel returns to air, he is expected to address the fallout from this incident, which has raised significant concerns about media freedom and the pressure on networks to respond to political backlash.
Kimmel’s comments did not focus on Kirk's death itself but rather on the broader response from what Kimmel referred to as Trump's MAGA Gang. Following Kimmel's remarks, two of ABC's major affiliate owners, Nexstar and Sinclair, pulled the show from their stations, prompting ABC's decision to suspend it.
In response to Kimmel’s reinstatement, Andrew Kolvert, spokesperson for Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA, stated that Disney and ABC caving and allowing Kimmel back on the air is not surprising, but it’s their mistake to make. Nexstar and Sinclair do not have to make the same choice.
ABC had initially refrained from elaborating on the reasons for the suspension. Upon revisiting the decision, The Walt Disney Co. clarified that their choice aimed at avoiding further inflaming an already tense situation in the country. They deemed some of Kimmel’s comments ill-timed.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr labeled Kimmel’s comments as “truly sick” and hinted at potential repercussions for the network if Kimmel was not penalized, although he later distanced himself from any threats regarding license revocations.
As Kimmel returns to air, he is expected to address the fallout from this incident, which has raised significant concerns about media freedom and the pressure on networks to respond to political backlash.
