# ABC pulls Jimmy Kimmel show indefinitely because of comments about GOP response to Charlie Kirk death. (Kimmel will be back on air Tuesday 2025-09-23) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 17, 2025, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138 "2025-09-17T23:27:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/221 "2025-09-20T18:59:51Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > For implying the shooter was a supporter of Trump. > > “The MAGA Gang (is) 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” Much the same way that “It looks like it will rain tomorrow” implies that my neighbor is an idiot for planning a trip tomorrow. Do I owe him an apology and maybe a substantial amount of cash? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/225 "2025-09-20T19:35:43Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > For implying the shooter was a supporter of Trump. > > “The MAGA Gang (is) 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” But this statement doesn’t say anything at all about “this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk.” Basic grammar: the subject of the sentence is “The MAGA Gang” and “this kid” is the direct object of the verb “characterize.” He’s making a statement about what the MAGA Gang (= a group from among Trump supporters) are doing, which is factually correct. The statement certainly is critical of “the MAGA Gang,” and therefore implies that they are wrong in what they are doing, but what you allege is an inference. The implication comes from “desperately” and “score political points,” and that second one is factually correct, and readily observable. So your argument really hinges on the plain interpretation of an adverb. Firing a talk show host for implying, even strongly, that he disagrees with a group of people is at least a little bit over the line. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/226 "2025-09-20T19:42:05Z")
And it makes me wonder if the real motivation behind all this was his criticism of Trump that same night. Trump didn’t think people would support pulling someone off the air just for that, so this phony “Kirk attack” is being used as an excuse. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/227 "2025-09-20T19:44:29Z")
It was clearly for multiple “criticisms” of Trump. The Kirk things was just a convenient excuse. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/228 "2025-09-20T19:52:03Z")
And given Trump’s tendency to claim the very best or the very worst of everything, it would explain the deification of Kirk coupled with the demonization of Kimmel. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/229 "2025-09-20T20:10:37Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I’m not sure what you mean by “without any word”. It was because of something he said that triggered over 60 stations to pull his show. The “something” was pretty damn mild compared to what usually goes in late night television and I am heartily tired of the _faux_ outrage over it. We’re in very dangerous territory if no one is ever allowed to criticize anyone Republican or liked by Trump without losing their job. That’s what my side is upset about. The MAGA cult is upset because someone dared to shoot one of them. I’m not entirely sure what all the other sides are upset about, but I’m sure there are multiple other reasons people are pissed off, as usual. > [@Magiver](#): > > You can disagree with whether or not you feel it was a transgression but you can’t disagree with how other people feel. True. But boycotts are also a thing. Voting with dollars, so to speak. If a few corporations go down in the cross fire I’m not going to shed any tears. > [@Magiver](#): > > For implying the shooter was a supporter of Trump. > > “The MAGA Gang (is) 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” So what if he was? It’s still murder. So what if he wasn’t? It’s still murder But yeah, MAGA was falling over themselves trying to prove the shooter was far left even before Kirk’s blood was dry so… boo-hoo-hoo, someone mentioned that? Sorry, it doesn’t rise to the level of firing the star of a show while simultaneously destroying the livelihood of the 200 or so employees of that show. Way, way out of proportion to any possible offense here. > [@Magiver](#): > > He implied a Trump supporter was murdered by a Trump supporter. It’s a callous dig at Republicans right after a political murder that was fresh in the news. It was completely inappropriate. It’s tit-for-tat for how the Republicans have been acting for years. Such as after Nancy Pelosi’s husband was brutally attacked. Or the Minnesotan State Speaker of the House was brutally murdered along with her husband by someone who very, very much was politically motivated. Where was the outrage, then? Seems MAGA can dish it out but they can’t take it. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/230 "2025-09-20T20:27:43Z")
Comedians are supposed to say things, make points even while being offensive ( though Kimmel Wasn’t!). What would Lenny Bruce think? Smh ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/231 "2025-09-20T20:30:13Z")
What LBJ said about the Smothers Brothers: After being trashed numerous times by the Smothers Brothers, President Johnson wrote them, “It is part of the price of leadership of this great and free nation to be the target of clever satirists. You have given the gift of laughter to our people. May we never grow so somber or self-important that we fail to appreciate the humor in our lives.” ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/232 "2025-09-20T21:00:26Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > It was completely inappropriate. > > It’s pointless for you to try and argue and dismiss how other people feel. Let’s say it is inappropriate. in a free society, he’d be criticized. In a capitalistic society, people might boycott him or his sponsors. But refusing to air his show until he shows contrition? There’s no basis for that, other than trying to curry favor when in need of help. > [@](#): > > In August, Nexstar announced it wanted to buy Tegna, another local TV operator, for $6.2 billion in a deal that would require FCC approval. That same month, Sinclair said it was reviewing its business and considering “acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and business combinations,” which would also be subject to FCC review. > > Nexstar’s deal with Tegna isn’t straightforward. By buying Tegna, it would likely increase its local TV ownership to more than 39% of US households, which is prohibited by law. > **[A $6.2 billion deal looms over Jimmy Kimmel's suspension](https://www.businessinsider.com/nexstar-deal-fcc-jimmy-kimmel-suspension-2025-9)** > > Jimmy Kimmel drew the wrath of Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair after the FCC's Carr criticized him. Nexstar has a $6.2 billion deal on the line. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/233 "2025-09-20T21:24:48Z")
We’re talking past the obvious again. The MAGA-sphere needs Jimmy Kimmel to apologize _for what Trump and the MAGA-sphere (dishonestly) **say** Kimmel said._ This is the problem with the whole > [@Magiver](#): > > It’s pointless for you to try and argue and dismiss how other people feel. bit: there isn’t any need to argue about how they feel. The critical fact is that – just like after The Big Lie – how they feel is based on them constantly being lied to. I’d be upset, too. It’s just that _I’d_ be upset that the people to whom I write checks and the places from which I get my news _constantly_ lie to, demagogue, and manipulate me. But that’s me. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/234 "2025-09-20T21:35:40Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > But refusing to air his show until he shows contrition? There’s no basis for that, There has always been a contractual expectation not to anger consumers. Someone like Roseanne Barr wasn’t given the option of contrition. She was just gone. So it depends how bad it is and how good the contrition. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/235 "2025-09-20T21:37:47Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > There has always been a contractual expectation not to anger consumers. Which you have absolutely not shown to have happened in this case. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/236 "2025-09-20T21:38:24Z")
What was the government’s involvement in that particular (Roseanne Barr) story? > **[‘Roseanne’ Canceled at ABC Following Racist Tweet](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/roseanne-canceled-at-abc-racist-tweet-1115412/)** > > ABC has canceled 'Roseanne' following Roseanne Barr's racist tweet. It seems like you might be conflating “cancel culture” with true First Amendment violations. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/237 "2025-09-20T21:44:16Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > It seems like you might be conflating “cancel culture” and true First Amendment violations. Jimmy Kimmel hasn’t lost his 1st Amendment rights. He can stand in time square all day long with a sign saying Fuck Trump. He’s basically been slamming him on his show on a regular basis. If you wan’t to say ABC was looking for an excuse then it was up to Kimmel not to give it to them. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/238 "2025-09-20T21:45:18Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Jimmy Kimmel hasn’t lost his 1st Amendment rights. I didn’t say he had. But the Trump administration _damned sure_ violated them. ETA: also see… > [@Will NBC fold and fire Fallon and Meyers and, if so, when?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-nbc-fold-and-fire-fallon-and-meyers-and-if-so-when/1023162/81): > > I believe one wouldn’t need to dig too far back in history to find that the Republican position differs from yours: [The Censorship-Industrial Complex: How Top Biden White House Officials Coerced Big Tech to Censor Americans, True Information, and Critics of the Biden Administration - 98pg PDF](https://judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/republicans-judiciary.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/Biden-WH-Censorship-Report-final.pdf) Now, AFAIK, you don’t formally represent the Republican party, but I do find the above rather interesting. I would also argue that there’s a profound difference between: Hewing closely to a company’s… ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/239 "2025-09-20T22:06:04Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > > [@Magiver](#): > > > > There has always been a contractual expectation not to anger consumers. > > Which you have absolutely not shown to have happened in this case. Agreed. There’s no evidence of any viewer backlash. I’m pretty sure that Kimmel’s views regarding MAGA and Trump are already pretty well known, and he’s not losing viewers because of any recent comments. If anything, he’s serving the market for anti-Trump/MAGA views, which pretty clearly exists in this country. And don’t forget that the government, from the president and the head of the FCC, threatened legal action. That’s what crosses the line here. > **[FCC Chairman Threatens ABC Over Jimmy Kimmel’s Remarks About Charlie Kirk’s...](https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/brendan-carr-abc-fcc-jimmy-kimmel-charlie-kirk-1236522406/)** > > Brendan Carr, the chairman of the FCC, threatened action against ABC for Jimmy Kimmel's comment that Charlie Kirk's assassin is 'one of them.' You’ll never find a previous situation even remotely analogous. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/240 "2025-09-20T22:14:36Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > If you wan’t to say ABC was looking for an excuse then it was up to Kimmel not to give it to them. Right! If Kimmel wanted to keep his job he shouldn’t have said those things about Trump and MAGA! ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/241 "2025-09-20T22:19:06Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > Right! If Kimmel wanted to keep his job he shouldn’t have said those things about Trump and MAGA! Why does this discussion remind me of the stereotypical male boss who extorts sex from his subordinate by implying that her maintaining her job depends on her capitulation and compliance?? Oh. Wait. I know exactly why. _“We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”_ --Brendan Carr, Chair, FCC ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/242 "2025-09-20T22:20:59Z")
Sure, here maybe, but what about 1930s Germany? (Crying, but joking.) ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2025, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138/243 "2025-09-20T22:28:28Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > but what about 1930s Germany? Touche. I was thinking of American history, where the United States Supreme Court once said it was permissible to state that a deeply religious man lost his virginity to his mother in an outhouse, since it was a parody of an advertisement and maligned a public figure. > **[Hustler Magazine v. Falwell (1988)](https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/hustler-magazine-v-falwell/)** > > In Hustler Magazine v. Falwell, the Court ruled that the First Amendment protects publishers’ rights from claims by public figures regarding materials labeled as parodies. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abc-pulls-jimmy-kimmel-show-indefinitely-because-of-comments-about-gop-response-to-charlie-kirk-death-kimmel-will-be-back-on-air-tuesday-2025-09-23/1023138.md?page=13)