Jimmy Kimmel has exploded in anger after ABC abruptly pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air this week, following his divisive misinformation about the man who allegedly killed Charlie Kirk. According to a bombshell Daily Mail report, insiders describe the late-night host as “absolutely f***ing livid” and determined to sever ties with the network permanently.
ABC Pulls Plug After FCC Pressure
The controversy stems from Kimmel’s Monday night monologue, in which he suggested Kirk’s alleged assassin was affiliated with Trump supporters. Investigators had, prior to Kimmel’s filming, confirmed the alleged shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, held far-left sympathies — directly contradicting Kimmel’s claim.
Jimmy Kimmel speaks to Arnold Schwarzenegger on Jimmy Kimmel Live – YouTube, Jimmy Kimmel Live
His remarks quickly drew condemnation. On Wednesday, FCC Chair Brendan Carr urged broadcasters to stop airing Kimmel’s show, hinting at a potential investigation. Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcasting, which own numerous ABC affiliates, also blasted the comments as “offensive and insensitive” before announcing they would stop airing the program.
By Wednesday evening, Disney-owned ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be “pre-empted indefinitely.” The slot was immediately filled with Celebrity Family Feud. Sinclair will air a Charlie Kirk memorial special in the timeslot on Friday.
Kimmel’s Reported Fit Behind the Scenes
The Daily Mail cites unnamed insiders who say Kimmel is enraged, holding crunch meetings with ABC executives and actively seeking ways to break his contract with the network.
One source claimed: “Jimmy is p***ed over the decision to suspend him and the show and he isn’t going to take this lightly, as he is actively looking for ways to get out of his contract. This is the last straw and Jimmy is now looking to forever break his relationship with ABC forever.”
Jimmy Kimmel reading tweets from President Trump at The Oscars – YouTube, New York Post
Another producer painted a bleak picture of the show’s staff in limbo.
“We’re shut down indefinitely,” they said. “We’re all here and basically wandering around like aimless cows. Jimmy is beside himself. I’ve never seen him this angry.”
The report even suggests Kimmel could team up with fellow ousted host Stephen Colbert, whose Late Show was cancelled earlier this summer and will take its final bow in 2026.
Celebrity and Political Fallout
The fallout has triggered a firestorm across political and entertainment circles.
President Donald Trump weighed in on Truth Social, calling Kimmel a man of “zero talent” and congratulating ABC for “finally having the courage to do what had to be done.”
U.S. President Donald Trump sits for an interview with ABC News – YouTube, ABC News
Actor Ben Stiller, however, defended Kimmel on social media, writing: “This isn’t right.”
MSNBC host Chris Hayes accused the FCC of engaging in censorship, claiming: “This is the most straightforward attack on free speech from state actors I’ve ever seen in my life.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom went further, blaming Republicans for “censoring you in real time.”
The FCC has stopped short of confirming formal action against Kimmel but has signaled an apology would be the “minimal step” expected.
A Career at a Crossroads
Kimmel’s career, once defined by comedy and celebrity interviews, has increasingly shifted toward partisan political commentary. Ratings for all late-night shows have cratered in recent years, leaving networks to question whether the enormous salaries of hosts like Kimmel, Colbert, and Fallon are sustainable in the streaming era.
Jimmy Kimmel in a promo ad for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
For now, Kimmel’s future at ABC appears uncertain. Insiders say he may never return, while his allies in Hollywood are preparing to rally on his behalf. Whether the controversy cements his exit from late-night television or sparks a new media venture remains to be seen.
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