Former President Donald Trump issued a pointed warning to comedian Jimmy Kimmel following the suspension of his late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!. This suspension comes just weeks after Trump criticized Kimmel, suggesting he was “next” after the cancellation of Stephen Colbert‘s show on CBS. Kimmel’s program has been suspended indefinitely due to controversial remarks he made regarding the fatal shooting of political commentator Charlie Kirk.
Kimmel’s comments, made during a recent episode, drew significant backlash. He stated, “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.” His remarks, deemed offensive by some, prompted Nexstar, a major owner of local television stations in the United States, to release a statement condemning Kimmel’s comments.
Trump’s Criticism and Kimmel’s Suspension
In the weeks leading up to Kimmel’s suspension, Trump took to Truth Social to express his disdain for Kimmel. After Colbert’s cancellation, he wrote, “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert!” Trump continued his critique by praising Greg Gutfeld, a host on Fox News, claiming he surpassed all of his late-night counterparts.
Following the suspension, Trump applauded ABC for its decision, asserting that they finally displayed the courage to act. He characterized Kimmel as having “ZERO talent” and suggested that his ratings were even worse than Colbert’s. Trump also directed his comments toward other late-night hosts, including Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon, urging NBC to consider their futures as well.
Nexstar’s statement regarding Kimmel emphasized the insensitivity of his remarks during a critical time in national political discourse. Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, stated, “Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive.” He further explained that allowing Kimmel to continue airing would not serve the public interest, leading to the difficult decision to preempt his show.
Implications for Late-Night Television
The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! marks a significant moment in the landscape of late-night television, reflecting the increasing intersection of politics and entertainment. As the late-night format faces scrutiny, the future of these programs may hinge on how hosts navigate sensitive political topics.
The fallout from Kimmel’s comments underscores a growing divide in public opinion regarding comedic takes on current events, particularly those involving violence and political figures. With major networks like ABC and organizations such as Nexstar taking a stand, the dialogue surrounding acceptable content in late-night programming is likely to evolve.
As this situation unfolds, industry watchers will be keen to see how Kimmel and other hosts respond to the challenges of addressing political issues in their routines while maintaining audience engagement.
