Disney’s ABC has temporarily canceled “Jimmy Kimmel Live” after Jimmy Kimmel made controversial comments about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. An ABC representative mentioned the show will not air for an unspecified duration.
Charlie Kirk, who was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10, was reported to have been murdered by Tyler Robinson, 22, who surrendered following a two-day manhunt.
In his monologue, Kimmel critiqued right-wing commentators who quickly blamed the left for Kirk’s death. He accused the “MAGA gang” of exploiting the tragedy for political gain. Kimmel stated, “In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving,” and criticized how Trump reacted to the event, likening it to a child mourning a pet.
This sparked outrage among conservatives, prompting backlash from the Trump administration and calls for action against Kimmel from figures like Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Carr indicated that Kimmel’s comments were a serious issue for Disney and urged local broadcasters to take a stand.
According to the Pew Research Center, political discourse in the U.S. has become increasingly polarized, causing public figures to face significant scrutiny for their comments. A recent survey found that more than half of Americans believe political leaders should tone down inflammatory rhetoric.
Following Kimmel’s remarks, Nexstar, which owns many ABC affiliates, announced it would stop airing “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” They deemed his comments “offensive and insensitive” during a crucial time in national politics.
Trump later praised the cancelation, saying it was “great news for America.” He also criticized other late-night hosts, stating their ratings were poor and insinuating that Kimmel’s comedy lacked talent.
Kimmel, known for his political commentary and comedic style, has been on air since 2003. His show has faced declining viewership, averaging about 1.57 million viewers per episode, which puts it behind “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”
As traditional television faces stiff competition from streaming platforms and social media, public figures continue to navigate the complicated landscape of political commentary. As of now, the suspension of Kimmel’s show poses questions about the future of political discourse in media.
For more insights on this matter, you can refer to sources such as the Pew Research Center.
Source link
News, Censorship, Donald Trump, Entertainment, Explainer, Media, Politics, Regulation, Television, United States
