The set of Jimmy Kimmel Live! fell unexpectedly silent Wednesday evening as ABC abruptly halted production of the long-running late-night program. The move came just as guests were en route to Hollywood’s El Capitan Theater, where the show is filmed, according to sources.

The surprise suspension followed remarks by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr, who suggested on a podcast that ABC could face license revocation if Disney, its parent company, did not take disciplinary action against Kimmel. Carr’s warning stemmed from the comedian’s controversial comments on the public reaction to conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s shooting death.

Multiple sources said that Kimmel’s team had been operating as though the show would go on, coordinating with celebrity publicists about upcoming appearances just hours before word of the cancellation broke. Inside ABC, staff members were blindsided.

Publicists, producers, and executives across the entertainment industry also expressed disbelief. “We are all shell-shocked,” one publicist told CNN. Another added, “I cannot believe this is real life.”

Oh please, these networks know who they hired. And they were fine with getting trashy before President Trump began holding them accountable.They’ve been excoriating Conservatives for years. Now they’re afraid of being canceled further from their falling ratings.
Jimmy Kimmel is… pic.twitter.com/7judCqUr2q

— HARRISFAULKNER (@HARRISFAULKNER) September 18, 2025

Outside the theater, audience members who had queued up for more than an hour were turned away. Gina and Michael Blackwell, who had traveled from Virginia to attend the taping, told CNN they were stunned. “What about freedom of speech?” Gina asked. Michael added bluntly, “Wake up America. We’re getting stuck on stupid.”

Photographs captured by Chris Pizzello of Invision/AP showed pedestrians passing by the quiet studio on Hollywood Boulevard as news of the suspension spread.

The fate of Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains uncertain. Sources familiar with the matter stressed that the program has not been canceled outright, though no timeline for its return has been set. Kimmel’s deep ties to ABC add to the weight of the moment: his show has run for over 20 years, and his wife, Molly McNearney, serves as head writer and executive producer.

Former President Donald Trump, with whom Kimmel has frequently sparred, weighed in almost immediately. On his Truth Social platform, Trump hailed the development as “Great News for America,” claiming Kimmel’s program had been a ratings failure and urging other networks to follow ABC’s lead.

“It’s not illegal to say Charlie deserved to die and you’re glad he did. They have a right to say that. BUT we have a right to FIRE you. You can’t walk into the office and say you’re into homicide…”

Jimmy Kimmel just learned this the hard way!! Jesse is spot on here!! 🔥👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/HVV0qJGQW2

— TONY™ (@TONYxTWO) September 18, 2025

ABC declined to respond to CNN’s questions about whether Kimmel or his staff would continue to be paid during the suspension. Meanwhile, representatives for Kimmel have remained silent.

The host’s future with the network was already a subject of speculation. His current contract, which ends in May, nearly wasn’t renewed in 2022, when he admitted he had considered stepping away. At the time, he quipped, “After two decades at ABC, I am now looking forward to three years of what they call ‘quiet quitting.’”

Whether Kimmel returns to ABC—or whether Wednesday’s suspension marks the end of an era—remains to be seen.

What Kimmel Actually Said

• During his Monday night monologue, Kimmel claimed:

  “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.”

• He also added:

  “In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”

Why Those Remarks Sparked Controversy

• Kimmel speculated that the shooter of Charlie Kirk, Tyler Robinson, might be affiliated with the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement — a claim that many say lacked confirmation.

• Law enforcement and the family of the accused reportedly indicated that his political ideology was more aligned with the left, and that he was not an active voter.

• Critics saw Kimmel’s wording (“the MAGA gang”) as politically loaded, suggesting that conservatives were trying both to deflect blame from the shooter and use the killing for political advantage.

Reactions & Regulatory Push

• FCC Chair Brendan Carr publicly condemned Kimmel’s comments, calling them misleading, and threatened regulatory consequences, including potential fines or even revoking broadcast licenses for ABC affiliates, if Disney/ABC did not take action.

• Some ABC affiliates, notably Nexstar, responded by pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their stations, calling the remarks “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse.”

FAQ — What did Jimmy Kimmel say and did it cause the suspension?

Q1: Exactly what did Jimmy Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk?

A: In his Monday monologue Kimmel said, in part: “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.” That phrasing — particularly the reference to the “MAGA gang” and implying a partisan link — is the line that sparked the backlash.

Q2: Did Kimmel name the shooter or claim a confirmed political motive?

A: Kimmel referenced the suspect and suggested partisan ties in his critique, but law enforcement and other reporting indicated the suspect’s political views were not clearly established and in some reports leaned left — information that critics say undercut Kimmel’s implication. News outlets note questions about whether the host’s wording was supported by verified facts.

BREAKING NEWS: Official ABC broadcast affiliate Nexstar is REMOVING Jimmy Kimmel from all 32 of their ABC stations until Disney answers for Kimmel’s despicable attack on Charlie Kirk.

Great job @NXSTMediaGroup. Thank you for standing up for Charlie

HERE: https://t.co/BvLYdTEK8I pic.twitter.com/QuABDoLVLi

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 17, 2025

Q3: Was the show suspended because of that monologue?

A: ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! shortly after a wave of affiliate preemptions and public pressure. Major affiliate groups (notably Nexstar) pulled the show from their local schedules and called the remarks “offensive and insensitive,” and the timing strongly links the suspension to the monologue. ABC’s public statement framed the halt as indefinite; while ABC did not use the exact phrase “because of the monologue” in all statements, the connection has been reported widely.

Q4: What role did the FCC play in this?

A: FCC Chair Brendan Carr publicly criticized the remarks and said regulators could consider actions — including threatening license consequences — if Disney/ABC did not address the issue. Carr’s comments amplified pressure on the network and affiliates.

Q5: Which affiliates pulled the show?

A: Nexstar, one of the nation’s largest station groups, was the most prominent affiliate group to announce preemptions, saying the monologue was inappropriate and that continuing to air the program was not in the “public interest.” Other broadcast groups and stations followed or reviewed their plans.

Q6: Has ABC or Kimmel issued an apology or statement?

A: As of the reporting on the suspension, ABC and Kimmel’s representatives had not released an on-air apology or detailed statement explaining the suspension; ABC confirmed the show was halted “indefinitely” and has not published a timeline for return. (Monitor for updates from ABC and Kimmel’s team.)

Jimmy Kimmel canceled!

Did you know he falsely said it was a MAGA man who assassinated Charlie Kirk 😳? Check out the clip

Guess he thought there would be no ramifications. Let's hope Accountability is coming back finally pic.twitter.com/2lX1PJQCLr

— Wake Up NJ 🇺🇸 New Jersey (@wakeupnj) September 18, 2025

Q7: Will the FBI/police investigation into Charlie Kirk’s death clarify the shooter’s motive?

A: The criminal investigation remains the primary source for verified facts about the suspect’s motives and affiliations. Early reporting showed conflicting or incomplete information about the shooter’s political views, which is why commentators and outlets urged caution in drawing definitive conclusions. Rely on official law-enforcement updates for confirmed details.

Q8: Is this a free-speech issue or a broadcaster decision?

A: Legal and media experts say this sits at the intersection of editorial independence, affiliate business decisions, and regulatory pressure. Some view affiliate preemptions and the FCC statements as political pressure on media; others argue broadcasters have the right to choose programming that fits community standards. This is an evolving debate and likely to generate lawsuits, congressional attention or FCC inquiries.