Jimmy Kimmel, Los Angeles talk show host on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, was suspended by both ABC and Disney + executives on Sept. 18, 2025, for supposed negative remarks regarding right-wing debater Charlie Kirk and President Trump.

The talk show is aired Monday-Thursday and appears on streaming services such as ABC and Disney +.

Controversy sparked from Kimmel’s episode that aired Sept. 15, just five days after the tragic assassination of Kirk. 

In this episode, days after the incident, Kimmel performed a monologue regarding not Charlie Kirk himself, but Tyler Robinson, the 22 year old man suspected of Kirk’sassasination. The monologue reads: “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.” 

Kimmel then goes on to poke fun at President Trump’s “stages of grief.” referencing a recent interview with the president. “You can see how hard the president is taking this,” Kimmel says. A clip of the interview is then inserted, in which President Trump goes on to talk about a new construction in the White House directly after being asked about the death of his former friend, Charlie Kirk.

Backlash from conservatives was quick to follow, targeting and slandering both Kimmel and his fans on social media platforms. Shortly after, the talk show was suspended “indefinitely.”

President Trump applauded ABC’s decision to remove the talk show, ecstatic that they “finally had the courage to do what needed to be done.” “You can call that free speech or not, he was fired for a lack of talent.” President Trump said.

As a form of protest, a significant number of individuals cancelled their subscriptions to ABC News and Disney +.

This wasn’t just another controversial issue between Republicans and Democrats, though; this issue went far beyond that. The suspension of Kimmel’s talk show was a violation of the 1st amendment right, freedom of speech, according to the constitution.

Many political entities have revealed their thoughts on the situation, some even having a change of heart.

“I just want the attacks on free-speech to stop,” Candace Owens, right-wing debater and former friend of Kirk said in a video reacting to the situation.

American actress, Jean Smart, although not a political entity, has used her platform to discuss the situation as well. “What Jimmy said was FREE speech, not hate speech. People seem to only want to protect free speech when it suits THEIR agenda,” Smart said.

The late-night talk show returned to ABC on Tuesday, Sept. 23. Only two out of the many stations allowed the talk show to air again; Nexstar and Sinclair. It is yet to be determined whether or not other stations will do the same, but only time will tell.

The show was returned due to significant backlash from the media, along with pressure from both Nexstar and Sinclair. During his returning episode, Kimmel took time to discuss the suspension in depth, making it clear that his joke was not intended to make fun of Kirk’s death, but instead was focused on the alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson. 

Kimmel referred to Kirk’s death as a “senseless murder,” along with condemning those who appeared to be celebrating it.

Kimmel then goes on to address the Trump administration for their role in the suspension of his talk show. “That’s not legal. That’s not American. That is un-American, and it’s so dangerous,” he said.