**Jimmy Kimmel Suspended Indefinitely Following Controversial Comments on Charlie Kirk Assassination**
*Published: September 18, 2025, 5:15 p.m. ET*
The abrupt removal of Jimmy Kimmel from the airwaves serves as a chilling warning to other topical comedians, according to an entertainment insider speaking exclusively to RadarOnline.com. The late-night host was “suspended indefinitely” after making controversial remarks about the alleged assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Kimmel and his self-titled late-night talk show, *Jimmy Kimmel Live!*, have both been silenced by ABC following his accusation that Tyler Robinson—the alleged killer—was part of the MAGA movement. This claim was made during one of his opening monologues.
The controversy escalated quickly. After the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) threatened action against ABC, and several local affiliates announced they would not air new episodes of the show, Disney made the decision to bench the 57-year-old host outright.
**A Crisis-Containment Move**
Grayce McCormick, founder of Lightfinder Public Relations, told RadarOnline.com that Disney had little choice in the matter. “From Disney’s perspective, pulling the show was a classic crisis-containment move,” she explained. “With affiliates refusing carriage and an FCC official weighing in, the network was facing both business and regulatory risks.”
She added, “In that light, suspension is less about the joke itself and more about protecting distribution and shareholder interests.”
**First Amendment Concerns**
McCormick also highlighted the broader implications of the swift action taken against Kimmel. She warned that it could have lasting effects on the interpretation of the First Amendment.
“Culturally, the optics are chilling: it signals to comedians that the boundaries of humor are no longer defined solely by advertisers and audiences, but also by affiliates and political pressure,” McCormick said. “That precedent will make other performers second-guess whether satire is worth the risk.”
She noted that with the nation already highly polarized, Kimmel’s remarks became a flashpoint. “His comments landed in the immediate aftermath of a high-profile tragedy, triggering a backlash amplified by right-wing political figures and affiliates. That convergence turned one edgy monologue into a crisis of distribution and optics.”
**Controversial Comments Spark Backlash**
Kimmel’s controversial statements were made during his Monday evening opening monologue:
> “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.”
These comments caught the attention of FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who threatened “immediate action” against Kimmel, ABC, and Disney for “deliberately misleading the public” by claiming Robinson was buried knee-deep in GOP beliefs.
On Wednesday, September 17, Carr appeared on Benny Johnson’s podcast, calling Kimmel’s comments “truly sick” and stating they should result in the host’s immediate suspension. Carr explained that networks require licenses granted by the FCC to broadcast, which come with a responsibility to operate in the public interest.
**Jimmy Kimmel’s Reaction**
Sources say Kimmel is “absolutely f—— livid” with ABC after being pulled from the air just hours before his scheduled broadcast, and he is refusing to apologize.
One of the show’s producers described the atmosphere behind the scenes: crew members were “wandering around like aimless cows,” adding, “I’ve never seen Jimmy this angry.”
Kimmel has reportedly even threatened to “break his relationship” with Disney permanently.
In what could be the ultimate last laugh, RadarOnline.com has learned that Kimmel is contemplating revealing his side of the story on CBS star Stephen Colbert’s *The Late Show*, which recently faced cancellation.
https://radaronline.com/p/jimmy-kimmel-removal-signal-comics-political-pressure/
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