United States President, Donald Trump, has suggested that some television networks could face the loss of their broadcast licenses following the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel by ABC.
The suspension came after Kimmel made controversial remarks about the recent killing of conservative activist, Charlie Kirk.
ABC, a Disney-owned network, announced on Wednesday evening that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be taken off air indefinitely in the wake of public outcry over Kimmel’s comments.
The host, 57, had speculated that the suspect accused of fatally shooting Kirk might be connected to Trump’s “Maga gang,” even though Utah authorities indicated that the gunman was motivated by left-wing ideology.
Kimmel also mocked President Trump’s response to the tragedy, likening it to “how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
Although Kimmel later expressed regret for his comments on Instagram and sent his condolences to the Kirk family, the controversy quickly escalated.
Nexstar Media, one of the largest TV station owners in the United States, announced it would no longer air Kimmel’s show, calling his remarks “insensitive and offensive.”
Trump, speaking from Air Force One following a state visit to the UK, weighed in on the incident. He criticized the media for their negative coverage of him and suggested that broadcasters who air such content should face consequences.
“They give me only bad publicity. I would think maybe their licence should be taken away,” Trump told reporters.
Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and an ally of Trump, supported the suspension of Kimmel’s show and hinted that additional actions might be taken against broadcasters.
“We’re going to continue to hold broadcasters accountable to the public interest,” Carr stated in an interview on Fox News.
However, the FCC’s regulatory power is limited to network broadcasters like ABC, leaving it with little authority over cable or streaming services. Legal experts argue that the First Amendment would make it exceedingly difficult to revoke broadcast licenses based purely on political disagreements.
The suspension sparked strong reactions across Hollywood and political circles. Former President Barack Obama warned that this could set a troubling precedent, accusing the Trump administration of weaponizing government power to silence critics.
Prominent actors such as Ben Stiller and Jean Smart voiced their support for Kimmel, while rival late-night host Stephen Colbert criticized the move as “blatant censorship.” Major Hollywood unions, including the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, also condemned the suspension as an infringement on free speech.
Conversely, some commentators defended the decision. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy argued that Kimmel was facing “consequences, not cancel culture,” while Fox News host Greg Gutfeld suggested Kimmel had misled his audience about the identity of Kirk’s killer.
In place of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Friday, Sinclair Broadcasting announced it would air a special tribute to Charlie Kirk. Kirk, 31, was shot dead earlier this month during a speech at Utah Valley University. His widow, Erika Kirk, has since been appointed the head of Turning Point USA, the conservative organization her late husband co-founded.
The 22-year-old suspect has been charged with aggravated murder, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
For now, the fate of Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains uncertain, caught in the midst of a heated political battle, contentious debates over free speech, and an FCC that appears increasingly emboldened under President Trump’s leadership.
