Sinclair, the nation’s largest ABC affiliate group, objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
As discussed with ABC earlier today, Sinclair decided to indefinitely preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” beginning tonight. Following these discussions, ABC has suspended production of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
“Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” said Vice Chairman Jason Smith. “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’s ABC stations will air a special in remembrance of Charlie Kirk this Friday, during Jimmy Kimmel Live’s timeslot. The special will also air across all Sinclair stations this weekend. In addition, Sinclair is offering the special to all ABC affiliates across the country.
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.
Sinclair also calls upon Mr. Kimmel to issue a direct apology to the Kirk family. Furthermore, we ask Mr. Kimmel to make a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk Family and Turning Point USA.
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.
Yeah, I was expecting an understandable slip-up in (I dunno) quoting Kirk’s own hateful opinions. But no, it doesn’t even remotely address Kirk’s death, or make inopportune comments. It’s about Trump’s absolutely transparent lie and his comedically inept use of Kirk as a martyr. There is literally nothing here.
Of course, we recall Trump said Kimmel was “next” in public comments after Colbert was canceled. The conclusion we - living in this mafia-run fascist government bizarro reality - can draw is that these affiliate owners took Trump’s direction and attacked the one Trump directed them to at their earliest convenience, cause and reason be damned.
Really, he didn’t even say anything that Kash Patel and the governor of Utah didn’t already say (“praying it wasn’t one of us”), he just said it as a humorous joke on prime time TV, instead of pathetic jokes during press conferences.