Jimmy Kimmel digs in, refuses to apologize for Charlie Kirk comments
ABC insiders claim Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue didn’t seem to offend anyone working on the show. London Entertainment for NY Post
Los Angeles, CA — Jimmy Kimmel remains defiant after ABC abruptly suspended his late-night show over controversial comments linking the killing of political commentator Charlie Kirk to a supporter of President Donald Trump. Despite internal network turmoil and mounting public backlash, Kimmel has not issued an apology.
Kimmel, who earns $16 million annually for hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was seen Thursday leaving his Los Angeles home and heading to a Century City office complex, reportedly home to several legal firms. His appearance followed ABC’s announcement that the show was being pulled “indefinitely” after Kimmel suggested, during his Monday night monologue, that the suspect in Kirk’s killing was affiliated with the “MAGA gang.”
According to law enforcement and investigators, the accused, Tyler Robinson, had written anti-fascist and pro-trans messages on ammunition and was reportedly steeped in far-left ideology. Kimmel’s claim — that Robinson was somehow tied to the Trump movement — drew immediate backlash, with many accusing him of misleading viewers and politicizing a tragedy.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, said Thursday that Kimmel’s comments “appeared to directly mislead the public” and suggested the FCC may consider action against ABC and its parent company, Disney. Carr emphasized the seriousness of the situation, saying the remarks weren’t merely comedic but distorted facts about what he called “one of the most significant political assassinations in recent history.”
Sources inside ABC say the joke was not an off-the-cuff remark but part of a scripted monologue that passed through the show’s standard editorial process. A network insider told The Post, “He’s said much worse. Nobody flagged this internally as a problem.”
Nevertheless, Kimmel’s relentless criticism of President Trump — which has dominated much of his recent monologue content — has reportedly raised concern among network executives and affiliate owners. In the past two weeks alone, over ten minutes per episode have been devoted to mocking Trump, particularly focusing on the release of the Epstein files.
The suspension reportedly followed pressure from major affiliate owners, Nexstar and Sinclair, both of which are currently navigating sensitive political terrain. Nexstar is seeking approval from the Trump administration for a $6.2 billion merger with Tegna, and Sinclair is planning to air a prime-time tribute to Charlie Kirk in Kimmel’s usual time slot.
Inside ABC, staff are on edge. “Everyone is paranoid,” one network employee told The Post. “People are afraid for their jobs.” The suspension decision was reportedly made by Disney CEO Bob Iger and television executive Dana Walden.
Kimmel is said to be furious. Sources told the Daily Mail he is “actively looking” to exit his contract with ABC and has “never been this angry.” He allegedly rejected executive requests to apologize, instead offering to “clarify” his remarks before reportedly doubling down on his critique of Trump supporters.
ABC has been airing reruns and Celebrity Family Feud in place of Kimmel’s show. Meanwhile, Sinclair Broadcasting is demanding Kimmel publicly apologize and donate to Turning Point USA, the organization founded by Charlie Kirk, as a condition for returning to air.
President Trump responded to the suspension on Truth Social, calling Kimmel “ratings-challenged” and celebrating ABC’s decision as “great news for America.”
Kimmel’s show has been experiencing a decline in viewership, with ratings dropping 43% from January to August, sinking from 1.95 million to just 1.1 million viewers.
Kimmel began hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2003, taking over after Bill Maher’s Politically Incorrect was canceled following controversial post-9/11 remarks. His fate at ABC now hangs in the balance as executives, staff, and affiliates navigate the fallout from a joke that has now triggered a national firestorm.
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