Jimmy Kimmel Faces Three Conditions for Return After Suspension Over Charlie Kirk Comments
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is facing a major professional setback following his controversial remarks about former President Donald Trump’s reaction to the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk. According to a statement from Sinclair, the country’s largest ABC affiliate group, Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been suspended “indefinitely” until three specific conditions are met.
A Nation Shocked by Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
The controversy began after the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist, commentator, and co-founder of Turning Point USA.
Kirk was fatally shot in the neck on September 10 while participating in a debate at Utah Valley University. Approximately 3,000 people were in attendance, including his wife and two young children, when the attack unfolded.
The suspected gunman, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, has been charged with seven criminal offenses, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. Prosecutors have signaled that the case may result in the death penalty being pursued.
For many conservatives, Kirk’s death was not only a personal tragedy but also a symbolic attack on one of the most prominent voices in their movement.
Donald Trump’s Response Draws Attention
Kirk was closely aligned with Donald Trump, having served as both a supporter and ally of the former president’s efforts to mobilize younger conservative voters.
After news of Kirk’s assassination broke, Trump was asked by a reporter outside the White House how he was “holding up” in the wake of the tragedy.
His answer drew widespread scrutiny. Instead of addressing Kirk directly, Trump replied:
“I think very good.”
He then shifted immediately to discussing ongoing renovations at the White House. Gesturing to the site, Trump said:
“And by the way, right there you see all the trucks. They just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House, which is something they’ve been trying to get for about 150 years. And it’s gonna be a beauty. It’ll be an absolutely magnificent structure.”
For critics, the remarks demonstrated an apparent lack of empathy, particularly since Kirk had been described as a friend of Trump’s.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Segment Sparks Outrage
On his late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel aired Trump’s remarks and delivered a sharp critique.
Quipping about Trump’s response, Kimmel said:
“He’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction. This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish, OK?”
The host went further by showing a second clip of Trump in a Fox News interview, where the former president once again pivoted away from discussing Kirk’s death to touting the ballroom project.
“There’s something wrong with him, there really is. Who thinks like that?” Kimmel asked. He then accused the MAGA movement of “trying to paint this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything but one of their own, while doing everything they can to turn it into political points.”
While Kimmel’s critique was aimed at Trump, his tone and framing—particularly around the sensitive timing of Kirk’s death—sparked backlash.
Trump Calls for Kimmel’s Firing
Following the segment, Trump himself responded by demanding that Kimmel be fired, accusing the comedian of insensitivity and bias. The calls for accountability were amplified by Trump’s supporters, many of whom expressed outrage across social media platforms.
