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 criticisms over Kimmel’s comments regarding the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this month.
Officials with the network stated on Monday that they had “thoughtful conversations with Jimmy” leading to the decision to return the show on Tuesday.
Kimmel's remarks did not solely focus on Kirk, but criticized figures including former President Donald Trump and his supporters for their reaction to the incident. Following Kimmel’s statements, two major affiliate owners of ABC, Nexstar and Sinclair, announced that they would cease airing the show. Subsequently, ABC issued Kimmel's suspension.
In reaction to his reinstatement, Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvert expressed disappointment in a post, suggesting that the decision was a mistake and called upon Nexstar and Sinclair to reconsider their position.
There has been no immediate comment from Nexstar and Sinclair regarding their decisions following Kimmel's reinstatement. The host did not issue comments regarding his recent suspension or return.
Why was Kimmel’s show suspended and then reinstated?
Initially, the reason for the suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was not disclosed by ABC. However, affiliates identified the cause as Kimmel’s “offensive and insensitive” remarks concerning the murder of Kirk.
On Monday, ABC's parent company, The Walt Disney Co., provided a clearer rationale for the suspension: “We made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation.
The Fallout
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr termed Kimmel's comments as “truly sick” and warned potential repercussions for the network and its local affiliates if action was not taken against Kimmel. However, Carr later denied threatening to revoke ABC's station licenses over this issue.
In announcing Kimmel’s show will return to air, The Walt Disney Co. emphasized, “After thoughtful discussions with Jimmy, we reached the decision to bring the show back.”
Kimmel’s Statements on Kirk
After Kirk's death, Kimmel decried it as a “senseless murder” and targeted political leaders who seemed to celebrate the event. On social media, he accused Trump and his supporters of trying to exploit the murder for political gain.
He referred specifically to reactions from Trump and characterized his response as ungraceful, asserting that it was not how an adult should behave in such situations, contrasting it to the behavior of a child mourning a pet fish.
Responses Mixed
The suspension stirred mixed reactions across the political spectrum. Former President Obama voiced concerns over government interference with free expression in media, while conservative commentators condemned Kimmel's earlier remarks.
The incident has sparked discussions on the boundaries of political commentary and the responsibilities of public figures in contentious political climates, reaffirming the ongoing cultural debates in the U.S.
