Background on Jimmy Kimmel and the Controversy
Jimmy Kimmel, a prominent American late-night talk show host on ABC, is set to return to the airwaves on Tuesday after a week-long hiatus. The show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, was taken off the air last week following controversial comments made by Kimmel regarding the consequences of Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The situation has sparked a partial boycott by two major broadcasting companies, Nexstar and Sinclair, which own dozens of ABC affiliate channels across the United States.
The Incident and Reactions
Kimmel, known for his frequent criticism of President Donald Trump and his inner circle, angered some conservatives by suggesting that the MAGA movement (Make America Great Again) attempted to exploit politically Kirk’s tragic death. Charlie Kirk, a right-wing activist and key Trump ally, was fatally shot on September 10 at a university campus.
Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), warned that ABC affiliate stations could face license revocation if they did not take action against Kimmel. In response, Nexstar and Sinclair, controlling over 50 channels each, announced they would drop Kimmel’s show from their programming schedules. ABC subsequently suspended the show.
Disney, ABC’s parent company, reversed the suspension on Monday. In a statement, Disney announced that after “deep conversations” with Kimmel, they decided to reinstate the show for its Tuesday broadcast.
Nexstar and Sinclair’s Stance
Despite Disney’s decision, Nexstar and Sinclair have remained firm in their commitment not to air Kimmel’s show on their channels. Nexstar stated, “We made this decision last week to replace ‘Live with Jimmy Kimmel’… and we are maintaining that decision pending commitments from all parties to foster an environment of respect and constructive dialogue in the markets we serve.”
Political and Industry Backlash
The partial boycott has drawn criticism from political figures, the entertainment industry, and numerous artists, as well as the Democratic Party and some right-wing voices. President Trump, who previously stated that negative coverage of him should be “illegal,” celebrated Kimmel’s suspension.
Since taking office in January, Trump has escalated his conflict with U.S. media outlets, filing lawsuits against several of them. ABC paid Trump a substantial sum to end one legal action against him.
Support for Kimmel’s Return
Outside the studio where Kimmel records his show, dozens of supporters gathered on Tuesday, with some calling the broadcast “historic.” Notable guests for this episode include actor Glen Powell and singer Sarah McLachlan.
Kimmel has remained silent but posted a photo on Instagram alongside the late Norman Lear, known for his advocacy of free speech. The caption read, “I miss this man today.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel’s show? The show was temporarily taken off the air due to Kimmel’s comments on Charlie Kirk’s assassination, which angered conservative groups including Nexstar and Sinclair.
- Who are Nexstar and Sinclair, and why are they boycotting Kimmel’s show? Nexstar and Sinclair are major broadcasting companies owning numerous ABC affiliate channels. They decided not to air Kimmel’s show in response to pressure from the government and President Trump.
- What is Kimmel’s stance on the controversy? Kimmel has remained silent about the situation but posted a photo on Instagram in support of free speech alongside the late Norman Lear.
- What is the reaction from the entertainment industry and political figures? The partial boycott has drawn criticism from numerous artists, the Democratic Party, and some right-wing voices. President Trump celebrated Kimmel’s suspension.
