It’s official: ABC has pulled the plug on Jimmy Kimmel Live! after the host’s ill-advised rant about the tragic assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
In a stunning turn of events, the network announced the indefinite suspension on Wednesday, leaving Kimmel reportedly seething, as the New York Post reports. and sparking cheers from President Donald Trump, who took to Truth Social to celebrate the decision.
The drama unfolded last week when Kirk, a prominent conservative voice, was fatally shot in the neck at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem, a heartbreaking loss for many on the right.
During a recent monologue, Kimmel took a swipe at what he called the "MAGA gang," accusing conservatives of exploiting Kirk’s death for political gain.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,” Kimmel sneered. Let’s be honest -- using a tragedy to dunk on your opponents isn’t clever; it’s tasteless, and it’s no surprise that viewers and affiliate groups such as Nexstar Media Group decided they’d had enough.
Tyler Robinson, 22, has been arrested and charged as the alleged shooter, but Kimmel’s decision to politicize the incident rather than mourn a life lost was a misstep that cost him dearly.
Fast forward to Wednesday, and Kimmel, 57, was reportedly gearing up to address his remarks on that night’s episode, only to be blindsided by ABC’s cancellation announcement at the eleventh hour.
Nexstar, a key ABC affiliate, confirmed it would preempt the show, signaling that the network had lost patience with Kimmel’s brand of divisive commentary. When even corporate suits can’t stomach your shtick, it’s time to rethink your approach.
Trump didn’t hold back, posting on Truth Social at 8 p.m. while wrapping up a state visit in England, hailing the cancellation as “Great News for America.”
“Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED,” Trump declared. While some might call it piling on, it’s hard to argue with the sentiment when late-night TV has become a soapbox for progressive talking points instead of entertainment.
Trump even urged NBC to follow suit by axing Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show and Seth Meyers’ Late Night for their dismal ratings, a jab that hits home for anyone tired of Hollywood’s echo chamber.
Meanwhile, back in Los Angeles, the fallout was visible as Kimmel and his longtime sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez were spotted outside the El Capitan Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night.
Kimmel, clad in a flannel shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap, was seen hurrying into a black Chevy Silverado, clutching his backpack with an assistant’s help, as captured by NBC 4 Los Angeles footage. The man looked like he’d rather be anywhere else.
Rodriguez, who started as a parking lot security guard in 2003 before becoming a fan-favorite regular with segments like celebrity drinking games and red carpet interviews, appeared somber in images obtained by the Post, standing in a back alley of the studio.
Kimmel's sidekick avoided questions from onlookers as he drove off with his windows up, while other staffers were seen leaving the building with their gear, a quiet end to a once-vibrant late-night staple. It’s a sad day for the crew, no doubt, but when a host prioritizes divisive rhetoric over unity, this is the inevitable result.
