Charlie Kirk assassination attempt: ABC suspends broadcast of "Jimmy Kimmel Live"

The US broadcaster ABC has announced that it is suspending the broadcast of the late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live indefinitely. The show will not air "for the foreseeable future," ABC announced. The move was justified by Kimmel's comments about the Charlie Kirk assassination attempt. It remained unclear which words the decision-makers took offense to. Kimmel did not immediately comment. US President Donald Trump commented on the decision on his platform Truth Social, saying: "Great news for America. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what needed to be done."

Kimmel said on his show on Monday: "We hit new lows over the weekend as the MAGA gang desperately tried to paint this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, doing everything they could to score political points." This statement drew criticism, including from the chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr.

Nexstar Media Group had previously announced it would stop broadcasting the show on the channels of its 32 ABC affiliates. "Mr. Kimmel's comments about Mr. Kirk's death are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political debate," said Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar's broadcast division.

Kirk was shot dead last Wednesday during an appearance on a university campus in Utah. The 31-year-old was considered one of the most influential right-wing activists and influencers and a key supporter of President Trump. He was controversial because of his radical views.

Trump and his administration have announced they will take action against commentators who, in their view, do not comment appropriately on the murder of Kirk. Critics of the administration's actions fear a restriction of freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Following ABC's announcement, Trump also criticized comedians Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, whom he called "two total losers." NBC must now follow suit and cancel their shows as well. Trump formulated it as a clear demand: "Do it, NBC!!!" In mid-July, the US broadcaster CBS announced it would cancel late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert's show next May .

Trump has repeatedly taken offense in the past at the late-night shows that targeted him with ridicule and satirical sting even during his first term in office. Trump exerts pressure in various ways to prevent critical reporting of him or his administration. The cancellation of the Colbert show came after CBS's parent company, Paramount, sought a merger with Oracle founder Larry Ellison's media company Skydance, which required FCC approval.

Trump sued the New York Times , which repeatedly reports critically about him, Most recently, he is seeking at least $15 billion in damages for defamation. The newspaper allegedly sought to undermine his candidacy and damage his reputation as a successful businessman through its reporting in the run-up to last year's elections.