Sinclair Broadcast Group, one of the nation’s largest owner of ABC affiliates, says Jimmy Kimmel’s removal from ABC’s schedule does not go far enough. The company announced it had already preempted Jimmy Kimmel Live and is calling on the host to issue an apology and a financial donation to the family of Charlie Kirk.
In a statement posted by Sinclair, Inc. (@WeAreSinclair), the company opened with: “Sinclair Says Kimmel Suspension is Not Enough, Calls on FCC and ABC to Take Additional Action.” It continued, “Sinclair’s ABC stations to Air Special in Remembrance of Charlie Kirk During Jimmy Kimmel Live! Friday Timeslot.”
The Statement from Sinclair
Sinclair said it “objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the assassination of Charlie Kirk.” The company explained, “As discussed with ABC earlier today, Sinclair decided to indefinitely preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! beginning tonight. Following these discussions, ABC suspended production of Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Sinclair Says Kimmel Suspension is Not Enough, Calls on FCC and ABC to Take Additional Action
Sinclair’s ABC stations to Air Special in Remembrance of Charlie Kirk During Jimmy Kimmel Live! Friday Timeslot
Sinclair, the nation’s largest ABC affiliate group, objects to recent…
— Sinclair, Inc. (@WeAreSinclair) September 18, 2025
Vice Chairman Jason Smith added: “Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country. We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities. We appreciate FCC Chairman Carr’s remarks today, and this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks.”
Sinclair announced it will air a special in remembrance of Charlie Kirk this Friday during Kimmel’s usual timeslot. The special will also be rebroadcast across all Sinclair stations over the weekend. The company is offering the tribute to all ABC affiliates nationwide.
Will Jimmy Kimmel Issue an Apology?
According to Sinclair’s statement: “Sinclair will not lift the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on our stations until formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability.”
A screenshot of Jimmy Kimmel crying on TV after the election of Donald Trump – YouTube, Jimmy Kimmel Live
The company went further: “Sinclair also calls upon Mr. Kimmel to issue a direct apology to the Kirk family. Furthermore, Sinclair asks Mr. Kimmel to make a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk Family and Turning Point USA.”
It concluded: “Regardless of ABC’s plans for the future of the program, Sinclair intends not to return Jimmy Kimmel Live! to our air until we are confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform.”
Jimmy Kimmel has reportedly been highly resistant to issuing any kind of apology for his remarks, according to Hollywood trade outlets like Deadline.
“Kimmel made it clear he was unwilling to apologize for his remarks, according to insiders,” Deadline reported, “and was going to direct the focus on President Trump’s most fervent supporters.”
U.S. President Donald Trump sits for an interview with ABC News – YouTube, ABC News
Nexstar Media Group also preempted Kimmel, saying it would no longer air the show “for the foreseeable future.” ABC then confirmed that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be “preempted indefinitely” across the network.
Kimmel’s Original Remarks
The backlash stemmed from Kimmel’s September 15th monologue.
He claimed, falsely, that Trump supporters were “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.”
Jimmy Kimmel speaks to Arnold Schwarzenegger on Jimmy Kimmel Live – YouTube, Jimmy Kimmel Live
This is, of course, categorically false. The alleged killer of Charlie Kirk wrote supposed “anti-fascist” messaging on his ammo casing and lived with his romantic partner, a biological man who was reportedly “transitioning” to female.
Kimmel also mocked President Trump’s response, saying: “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of somebody he [Trump] called a friend. This is how a 4-year-old mourns a gold fish, okay.”
Does a Jimmy Kimmel Apology Come Next?
ABC has not said whether Kimmel’s show will return. With Nexstar and Sinclair preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across their affiliates and a Charlie Kirk remembrance special set to air in its place, the future of Kimmel’s late-night program remains unclear.
Jimmy Kimmel reading tweets from President Trump at The Oscars – YouTube, New York Post
Jimmy Kimmel has been resistant to issuing an apology, but if it becomes a barrier to reclaiming his late night show, will we see him issue a statement to the Kirk family?
Do you think Jimmy Kimmel will make an apology? Do you want him to? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
I wouldn’t take anything he says as his honest thoughts, we all know he doesn’t give a rat’s ass about Charlie, his wife, or their children. He’s just another mouthpiece for the leftist rhetoric that got him killed.