Key Background
Kimmel, like Colbert, has been the target of multiple attacks from Trump amid his own ongoing jabs at the administration, but is the only one of the late night hosts who has been kicked off the air for his rhetoric. Kimmel in September commented about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, specifically poking at Trump’s unsubstantiated claims the person who shot Kirk was the product of the violent “radical left.” Kimmel claimed “the MAGA gang” was “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.” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr then criticized Kimmel in an appearance on right-wing commentator Benny Johnson’s podcast, suggesting the FCC could take action against the talk show because it wasn’t operating in the “public interest.” Shortly after that threat, Disney-owned ABC said Kimmel’s show would be put on a hiatus “indefinitely.” The president cheered Kimmel being taken off air in a post on Truth Social: “The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible.” The White House’s Rapid Response X account tweeted: “They’re doing their viewers a favor. Jimmy is a sick freak!” ABC brought the show back after one week after backlash from both sides of the aisle in an ensuing debate over free speech, corporate compliance and government regulation.
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Tangent
Trump is once again targeting Kimmel after a joke he made days before a shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner. In his April 23 monologue, Kimmel included a line describing First Lady Melania Trump as having “a glow like an expectant widow.” Two nights later, a shooter attempted to attack the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and Melania Trump joined with her husband in calling for Kimmel’s firing and right-wing commentators and influencers said Kimmel’s joke enticed violence. The host responded to the claims during a later show, acknowledging the shooting was upsetting but pointing out his own history of advocating for gun control.
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Further Reading
ForbesABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel ‘Indefinitely’ After Charlie Kirk Comments: Here’s What He SaidBy Antonio Pequeño IV
Forbes‘Blatant Censorship’: Late Night Hosts React To Kimmel Being Taken Off AirBy Siladitya RayForbesHow The Morning, News, Late-Night Shows Lost Half Their ViewersBy Mary Whitfill Roeloffs