Jimmy Kimmel, the long-running late-night host, is set to return to the ABC airwaves on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, following a turbulent week that ignited fierce debate over free speech, political influence, and the power of broadcasters. Yet, despite ABC and Disney’s decision to reinstate him, millions of American households may still find themselves unable to tune in, as major affiliate groups Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar have chosen to preempt the show on their stations—at least for now.
The controversy began on Monday, September 15, when Kimmel, known for his pointed political humor, used his opening monologue to address the recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. "We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang 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," Kimmel remarked, according to Axios. The comments, delivered just days after Kirk was shot and killed while addressing a crowd at Utah Valley University, quickly drew ire from conservative circles and, more critically, the attention of federal regulators.
By Wednesday, September 17, ABC had suspended production of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, citing a desire "to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country," as reported by Reuters and Axios. The network emphasized that the decision was made because some of Kimmel’s comments were "ill-timed and thus insensitive." Behind the scenes, conversations between Kimmel, Disney CEO Bob Iger, and Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden continued throughout the week, ultimately resulting in the decision to bring Kimmel back on air.
This move, however, did little to quell the storm. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, in a warning to broadcasters, suggested that the agency could take regulatory action if networks did not address what he called "the sickest conduct possible." Carr later clarified, according to Axios, "What I spoke about last week was that when concerns are raised about news distortion, there’s a way — there’s an easy way — for parties to address that and work that out ... There doesn’t need to be any involvement of the FCC." Still, the chilling effect was immediate: both Sinclair and Nexstar, which together account for about a quarter of ABC’s household reach, pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from their lineups.
Sinclair, which owns or controls 39 ABC-affiliated stations—including WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C.—announced, "Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming. Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return." Sinclair further called on Kimmel to issue a direct apology to the Kirk family and make "a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk Family and Turning Point USA." The company had also planned to air a Charlie Kirk tribute special in Kimmel’s time slot but moved it to YouTube, opting instead for a rerun of Celebrity Family Feud on broadcast.
Nexstar, which owns 32 ABC affiliates and is currently awaiting FCC approval for a $6.2 billion merger with Tegna, has been equally cautious, stating it is "monitoring the situation." Both companies’ decisions are seen as influenced not just by the Kimmel controversy, but also by the regulatory environment and pending ownership rule changes that could impact their business futures, according to Deadline and Reuters.
The suspension and subsequent reinstatement of Kimmel’s show sparked a national outcry, with critics on both sides of the political spectrum weighing in. Conservative voices, including President Donald Trump, celebrated the suspension—Trump even falsely claimed it was an outright cancellation—while Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered tongue-in-cheek commentary about the show’s future. On the other hand, prominent Hollywood figures, unions, and advocacy groups blasted Disney’s initial decision as capitulation to government pressure. An open letter spearheaded by the American Civil Liberties Union and signed by over 400 celebrities, including Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, and Robert De Niro, declared, "We the people must never accept government threats to our freedom of speech. Efforts by leaders to pressure artists, journalists, and companies with retaliation for their speech strike at the heart of what it means to live in a free country."
Even within the Republican Party, there was dissent. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz called Carr’s threat "dangerous," while Senator Rand Paul told NBC’s "Meet the Press" that "Brendan Carr’s got no business weighing in on this, but people have to also realize that despicable comments, you have the right to say them, but you don’t have the right to employment." Anna M. Gomez, the lone Democratic FCC commissioner, praised Disney’s decision to bring Kimmel back, stating, "I am glad to see Disney find its courage in the face of clear government intimidation. More importantly, I want to thank those Americans from across the ideological spectrum who spoke loudly and courageously against this blatant attempt to silence free speech."
The incident has also been colored by the broader context of Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025. Throughout his terms, Trump has repeatedly pressured networks and threatened to rescind licenses for broadcasters airing content he finds objectionable—a power that technically resides with the FCC, an independent regulatory body. The push and pull between government officials, media executives, and station owners has thus become a flashpoint for wider debates about the role of government in regulating speech, especially in a polarized political climate.
Kimmel, for his part, is expected to address the controversy upon his return. The format of Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains unchanged—late-night monologue, skits, and celebrity interviews—though the guest list for the comeback episode has not been announced. Comedian Wanda Sykes, who was scheduled to appear before the suspension, has voiced her support for Kimmel’s return, joining a chorus of entertainers defending his right to free expression.
Meanwhile, the investigation into Charlie Kirk’s killing continues. Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old technical school student from Utah, has been charged with Kirk’s murder. Authorities have noted that Robinson "started to lean more left" in recent months and targeted Kirk for his "political expression," but the precise motive remains unclear, as reported by Axios and Reuters.
As the dust settles, it’s clear that the Kimmel saga is about more than just a late-night show. It’s a moment that has crystallized anxieties about media freedom, government overreach, and the shifting sands of American political discourse. For now, viewers will have to check their local listings—and perhaps their values—before settling in for the return of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
