Calls to boycott ABC and Disney are trending online and celebrities, politicians and more took to social media to weigh in on the news that Jimmy Kimmel’s show has been suspended indefinitely. While many celebrities are voicing their outrage, some power players are giving a nod of approval.
On Wednesday, it was announced that Nexstar, the largest TV station owner in the U.S., would not air “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on its ABC affiliate stations for the “foreseeable future” following remarks the comedian made on his late night talk show regarding the killing of Charlie Kirk.
The swift action by the network, which is owned by the Walt Disney Company, was announced hours after the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, said that Kimmel’s comments were a “serious issue right now for Disney.”
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” he continued. “These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
In his opening monologue on Monday evening, Kimmel said: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with 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 were aimed at the political response to Kirk’s death—Kimmel’s immediate statement following the killing of Kirk expressed sympathy for the political activist’s family.
Instead of the angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human? On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence.
- RELATED: ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely over his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death
Kimmel becomes the second late night show host to get the axe this year. In July, it was announced that CBS was cancelling “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Many criticized the move and suggested the decision was politically motivated following Paramount, the parent company for CBS, reaching a settlement with President Donald Trump over a “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. Despite the show being set to end in 2026, on Sunday, Colbert and his team won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Series.
“This isn’t right,” said actor Ben Stiller in a quote post on X from Wall Street Journal reporter Joe Flint, posting the news of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” getting pulled. MSNBC host Chris Hayes also quoted the post and added, “This is the most straightforward attack on free speech from state actors I’ve ever seen in my life and it’s not even close.”
“I’m canceling my @disneyplus subscription ‘indefinitely,’” said “Supernatural” actor Misha Collins.
However, there were also expressions of support for sidelining Kimmel.
“Just think for a minute about the amount of IRATE mail/viewer feedback they must have gotten to do this,” said former Fox News host Megyn Kelly.
A comment of approval also came from former “Real Housewives of Orange County” star Kelly Dodd, who responded to the news in an Instagram comment, “Good JOB ABC !!! BRAVO SHOULD TAKE NOTES.”
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz also weighed in, suggesting Kimmel was lying about the accused killer, Tyler Robinson’s, political affiliation. Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis echoed Cruz and called the move a “rare example of accountability in legacy media.”
But most reactions on social media Wednesday, particularly from those in the entertainment industry, were sharply critical.
“One Tree Hill” star Sophia Bush didn’t mince words, posting her disapproval: “The First Amendment doesn’t exist in America anymore. Period. Fascism is here and it’s chilling.”
Adam Conover from “Adam Ruins Everything,” shared his thoughts in a post with a screenshot of the news of ABC yanking Kimmel’s show: “tell me which side is anti-comedy and anti-free speech again.”
“This is the actual cancel culture everyone claims to hate so much,” said comedian Alex Edelman. “ . . . That’s censorship I can’t find anywhere else in the 21st century.”
“Buying and controlling media platforms. Firing commentators. Canceling shows. These aren’t coincidences. It’s coordinated. And it’s dangerous. The @GOP does not believe in free speech. They are censoring you in real time,” California Governor Gavin Newsom shared on social media.
“Kimmel. Colbert. Suits against the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and 60 Minutes. Extorting settlements from CBS, ABC, and others. Blocking the AP’s access to the White House. This administration is responsible for the most blatant attacks on the free press in American history. What will be left of the First Amendment when he’s done?” California U.S. Senator Adam Schiff shared.
Jamie Lee Curtis shared a quote from Kimmel himself following the news: “I don’t think anyone should be canceled, I really don’t,” the quote read.
FCC Chairman Carr issued a statement saying, “I want to thank Nexstar for doing the right thing. Local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest. While this may be an unprecedented decision, it is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that they determine falls short of community values. I hope that other broadcasters follow Nexstar’s lead.”
Brian Stelter, Chief Media Analyst at CNN, posted on X that when he reached out to Carr for comment, he replied with a gif of characters from the show “The Office” dancing in celebration.
In August, it was announced that Nexstar Media Group would acquire broadcasting rival Tegna for $6.2 billion, pending approval from the FCC and DOJ.
Trump took to Truth Social to hype the nixing of Kimmel and suggested further late-night show casualties: “ . . . That leaves Jimmy [Fallon] and Seth [Meyers], two total losers . . . Do it NBC!!!”