ABC resumes broadcasting Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night program on Tuesday, following nearly a week’s suspension due to an uproar over the host’s comments on the unfortunate demise of conservative leader Charlie Kirk, according to reliable sources from NBC News.
The Walt Disney Company, which owns the ABC network, stated on Monday that the program’s production was halted to prevent exacerbating an already fraught situation in our nation. “We felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive,” the company added. Multiple days were spent in “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel, after which it was decided the show could continue.
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This development follows earlier reports that Brendan Carr, the Chair of the Federal Communications Commission, threatened to revoke ABC affiliate licenses over Kimmel’s comments. The Chair described the remarks as “the sickest conduct possible.” This warning ignited a wider debate about the possible influence of political pressure on television networks concerning a comedian’s comments. Media watchdog groups expressed concern about what they described as an attempt to suppress free expression through regulatory threats. It has been reported that numerous viewers began canceling subscriptions to Disney+ and Disney-owned Hulu in the aftermath of the suspension.
President Donald Trump publicly commended the decision to pull Kimmel off air, claiming the late-night host had engaged in “disgusting attacks”. The president’s comments further fueled concerns that the White House was encouraging federal regulators to penalize networks that air critical voices.
It was in his monologue last Monday that Kimmel, known for often targeting Trump and his allies, criticized the “MAGA gang,” accusing them of “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.”
Authorities in Utah have reported that the suspect accused of shooting Kirk had recently “started to lean more left” and targeted Kirk specifically for his “political expression.”
