Disney announced it will pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! “indefinitely” after Nexstar Media, one of the largest media companies in the U.S., declared it would stop airing the late-night show. The move comes after Kimmel’s comments regarding the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, drawing immediate backlash from Gov. Gavin Newsom and other political leaders.
Nexstar, which owns or partners with numerous ABC affiliates, stated Wednesday, Sept. 17, that its stations would preempt the program “for the foreseeable future, beginning with tonight’s broadcast.”
“Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets,” the company said in a statement.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office condemned the decision, calling it “corrupt, despicable, & spineless behavior,” and labeling it “a coordinated effort to control the media.” On his personal account, Newsom added that Republicans were “buying and controlling media platforms. Firing commentators. Canceling shows. These aren’t coincidences. It’s coordinated. And it’s dangerous. The GOP does not believe in free speech. They are censoring you in real time.”
Corrupt, despicable, & spineless behavior.
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) September 17, 2025
A coordinated effort to control the media is happening before our eyes & it needs to be called out. https://t.co/vfmc0m8QHE
Rep. Brad Sherman, representing Burbank, the heart of California’s television industry, tweeted that “all the power of the federal government, including the FCC, is being used to silence all voices but MAGA.” He stressed that the First Amendment protects speech from government retribution “even if it’s wrong.”
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker also spoke out. “A free and democratic society cannot silence comedians because the President doesn’t like what they say,” he wrote on X. “This is an attack on free speech and cannot be allowed to stand. All elected officials need to speak up and push back on this undemocratic act.”
President Donald Trump, in contrast, celebrated the suspension. “Great News for America,” he wrote 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.” He also urged NBC to fire Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, calling them “two total losers” and adding, “Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!”
In his Sept. 16 monologue, Kimmel criticized conservatives for politicizing Kirk’s death. “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 and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” he said.
Kirk, 31, co-founded the conservative organization Turning Point USA and was fatally shot on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. A 22-year-old Utah man, Tyler Robinson, has been charged with aggravated murder and other offenses.
The controversy drew attention in Washington. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr suggested potential action against ABC, calling Kimmel’s remarks “some of the sickest conduct possible.” After Disney’s suspension announcement, Carr thanked Nexstar on social media for “doing the right thing,” noting that local broadcasters have a duty to serve the public interest and should challenge programming that falls short of community standards.
Civil liberties groups condemned the suspension. Christopher Anders of the ACLU said, “This is beyond McCarthyism. Trump officials are repeatedly abusing their power to stop ideas they don’t like, deciding who can speak, write, and even joke. The Trump administration’s actions, paired with ABC’s capitulation, represent a grave threat to our First Amendment freedoms.” Ari Cohn of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression warned, “Another media outlet withered under government pressure. We cannot be a country where late-night talk show hosts serve at the pleasure of the president.”
The clash comes as Disney seeks regulatory approval for ESPN’s purchase of the NFL Network, while Nexstar awaits clearance for its $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna. The Kimmel dispute also coincides with a broader shake-up in late-night television, with Stephen Colbert announcing The Late Show will end after next season despite remaining the top-rated talk show, and CBS reporting a $40 million loss last year.
