Jimmy Kimmel's suspension: Capitalism, not censorship

[Michie]

In the shadow of Charlie Kirk's assassination on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University — where 22-year-old Tyler Robinson allegedly gunned him down during a speaking event — America now grapples with grief, rage, and a dangerous erosion of free speech principles.

Just days later, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel ignited a firestorm with his monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live! when he suggested, without irony or punchline, that Robinson was a MAGA supporter: “this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.”

ABC swiftly suspended the show indefinitely amid advertiser pullouts and FCC scrutiny, sparking cries of First Amendment foul from the left. But this isn’t government censorship or Trumpian strong-arming — it’s the raw mechanics of capitalism at work. Broadcasters can’t “intentionally distort the news” under FCC guidelines, and when Kimmel blurred fact into fiction during a moment of national mourning, ABC faced a choice: correct course or risk its license.

Kimmel’s comments weren’t satire. No wink, no laugh track, no comedic cushion. Robinson, in fact, had turned sharply leftward — embracing pro-LGBT views and expressing hatred for Kirk’s ideology. Yet in front of millions, Kimmel told a knowing lie. Broadcasters aren’t private podcasters or comics on a Vegas stage; they are public trustees. What Kimmel delivered wasn’t comedy. It was a falsehood with consequences.

Continued below.

Jimmy Kimmel's suspension: Capitalism, not censorship

What Kimmel delivered wasn t comedy It was a falsehood with consequences

www.christianpost.com

 

[chevyontheriver]

In the shadow of Charlie Kirk's assassination on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University — where 22-year-old Tyler Robinson allegedly gunned him down during a speaking event — America now grapples with grief, rage, and a dangerous erosion of free speech principles.

Just days later, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel ignited a firestorm with his monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live! when he suggested, without irony or punchline, that Robinson was a MAGA supporter: “this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.”

ABC swiftly suspended the show indefinitely amid advertiser pullouts and FCC scrutiny, sparking cries of First Amendment foul from the left. But this isn’t government censorship or Trumpian strong-arming — it’s the raw mechanics of capitalism at work. Broadcasters can’t “intentionally distort the news” under FCC guidelines, and when Kimmel blurred fact into fiction during a moment of national mourning, ABC faced a choice: correct course or risk its license.

Kimmel’s comments weren’t satire. No wink, no laugh track, no comedic cushion. Robinson, in fact, had turned sharply leftward — embracing pro-LGBT views and expressing hatred for Kirk’s ideology. Yet in front of millions, Kimmel told a knowing lie. Broadcasters aren’t private podcasters or comics on a Vegas stage; they are public trustees. What Kimmel delivered wasn’t comedy. It was a falsehood with consequences.

Continued below.

Jimmy Kimmel's suspension: Capitalism, not censorship

What Kimmel delivered wasn t comedy It was a falsehood with consequences

www.christianpost.com

He kind of forgot how to be funny. Whoops.

 

[Michie]

He kind of forgot how to be funny. Whoops.

I never thought he was funny to be honest.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I never thought he was funny to be honest.

Letterman was OK. Leno and Carson of course. Coulbert was funny for a hot second until he decided to be a politician. If you want funny, Gaffigan kinda owns that now.

 

[Michie]

Letterman was OK. Leno and Carson of course. Coulbert was funny for a hot second until he decided to be a politician. If you want funny, Gaffigan kinda owns that now.

I used to like Colbert when he was just playfully being goofy. Not so much anymore. I remember Carson from the 90’s and thought he was amusing. Gaffigan is funny but I don’t see his stuff often enough. If I decide to turn on a show of that type late at night, I prefer not to see someone posing as a political pundit. It’s not entertainment and pundits are a dime a dozen. I prefer to be entertained and I do not find the overt partisan rants funny at all. It’s depressing.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

According to one report I heard on the TV, it was the complaints from the local affiliates of ABC which drove Kimmel to be removed,
not the FCC. Those saying this is censorship of the Trump administration just hate Trump and really have no idea
on why ABC cancelled the show.

As it is, ABC has been anti-Trump and was sued by Trump when George Stephanopoulos lied during the campaign for
the 2024 presidential election. Stephanopoulos was in the Clinton administration and ABC had to pay Trump $16 million
for lying about Trump on the Sunday show, This Week, With George Stephanopoulos. ABC was not doing Trump
any favors but used this as an excuse to cut ties with Kimmel as his rating weren't that good.

 

[Richard T]

I have to say that the cancellation was probably not free market capitalism, but crony capitalism. Some network affiliates are seeking a mega merger and certain regulatory items so they cancelled in hopes that Trump and the FCC will aprrove their deals?

"Both Nexstar and Sinclair have been lobbying the FCC over regulatory issues.
Nexstar, the largest station group in the country, also has a major merger before the Trump administration, its proposed acquisition of Tegna, creating a mega-company with 265 stations in 44 states and the District of Columbia, representing 80% of U.S. TV households. Nexstar also is a leading champion in the broadcast industry for the FCC to relax media ownership limits, something necessary to get its deal through regulatory approval. Nexstar owns 32 ABC affiliates out of a total of 200 stations."

Nexstar And Sinclair, Two Largest Station Groups, Wield Influence In ABC Decision To Pull Jimmy Kimmel In Light Of His Charlie Kirk Comments — Update

The station group is seeking FCC approval of a major merger.

deadline.com

 

[Tuur]

I have to say that the cancellation was probably not free market capitalism, but crony capitalism. Some network affiliates are seeking a mega merger and certain regulatory items so they cancelled in hopes that Trump and the FCC will aprrove their deals?

"Both Nexstar and Sinclair have been lobbying the FCC over regulatory issues.
Nexstar, the largest station group in the country, also has a major merger before the Trump administration, its proposed acquisition of Tegna, creating a mega-company with 265 stations in 44 states and the District of Columbia, representing 80% of U.S. TV households. Nexstar also is a leading champion in the broadcast industry for the FCC to relax media ownership limits, something necessary to get its deal through regulatory approval. Nexstar owns 32 ABC affiliates out of a total of 200 stations."

Nexstar And Sinclair, Two Largest Station Groups, Wield Influence In ABC Decision To Pull Jimmy Kimmel In Light Of His Charlie Kirk Comments — Update

The station group is seeking FCC approval of a major merger.

deadline.com

So, when Horace Greely's people baulked at printing an anti-Lincoln opinion piece immediately after Lincoln was murdered, was that crony capitalism, too? Greely's people knew that, given the circumstances, the opinion piece wouldn't be well received. And right now, a crass hatchet job on someone who was murdered as he spoke to a crowd isn't going to be well received by the general public.

The market for late night talk shows is rapidly fading. Colbert was the most successful in his time slot, but his market has already shrunk to where CBS was losing money on it. And Kimmel wasn't anywhere as popular as Colbert. I have seen one assessment that in suspending Kimmel, ABC was cutting loose a cinderblock pulling them down.

But it makes better political points to claim it was government censorship, and that's precisely what we're seeing.

 

[Richard T]

So, when Horace Greely's people baulked at printing an anti-Lincoln opinion piece immediately after Lincoln was murdered, was that crony capitalism, too? Greely's people knew that, given the circumstances, the opinion piece wouldn't be well received. And right now, a crass hatchet job on someone who was murdered as he spoke to a crowd isn't going to be well received by the general public.

The market for late night talk shows is rapidly fading. Colbert was the most successful in his time slot, but his market has already shrunk to where CBS was losing money on it. And Kimmel wasn't anywhere as popular as Colbert. I have seen one assessment that in suspending Kimmel, ABC was cutting loose a cinderblock pulling them down.

But it makes better political points to claim it was government censorship, and that's precisely what we're seeing.

It probably was a good idea to hold off on that printing.
Kimmel too should never have made those remarks. Had he not said them or even better if Kirk had not been murdered, Kimmel likely would still be on the air today. So while he could have been on the way out in weeks perhaps months or more because of capitalism, he not only was an economic liability, but he became a bargaining chip to please the FCC to make a big deal between stations getting approved. I'm guessing but maybe his contract too required nothing monetarily if he was fired for cause. Otherwise they do not renew it is more the norm than cutting it in the middle of a schedule. Given those factors, he is gone. Perhaps a pay cut, or different channel will bring him back if he desires? There are quite a few broadcasters in sports that are fired only to be recycled sometime later. I just pray Kimmel and others learn from their mistakes.

 

[Servus]

 

[JimR-OCDS]

 

[Michie]

Disney executives have decided to indefinitely suspend Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show following the comedian's false remarks about Charlie Kirk's assassination and declining viewership.

The executives reportedly had conversations with the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" host about "taking down the temperature," according to CNN. A source familiar with the matter said that Kimmel had planned a "very hot" monologue for his show last Wednesday that would have mocked President Donald Trump and his base.

Around the same time that these discussions between Kimmel and Disney executives were reportedly taking place, Nexstar announced that it would no longer air the late-night show. Nexstar aired "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in approximately two dozen markets, according to CNN.

Continued below.

Jimmy Kimmel planned to mock Trump's 'MAGA base' before suspension over Charlie Kirk remarks

Disney executives have decided to indefinitely suspend Jimmy Kimmel s late-night show following the comedian s false remarks about Charlie Kirk s assassination and declining viewership

www.christianpost.com

 

[chevyontheriver]

Disney executives have decided to indefinitely suspend Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show following the comedian's false remarks about Charlie Kirk's assassination and declining viewership.

The executives reportedly had conversations with the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" host about "taking down the temperature," according to CNN. A source familiar with the matter said that Kimmel had planned a "very hot" monologue for his show last Wednesday that would have mocked President Donald Trump and his base.

Around the same time that these discussions between Kimmel and Disney executives were reportedly taking place, Nexstar announced that it would no longer air the late-night show. Nexstar aired "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in approximately two dozen markets, according to CNN.

Continued below.

Jimmy Kimmel planned to mock Trump's 'MAGA base' before suspension over Charlie Kirk remarks

Disney executives have decided to indefinitely suspend Jimmy Kimmel s late-night show following the comedian s false remarks about Charlie Kirk s assassination and declining viewership

www.christianpost.com

He stopped being funny and worked hard to alienate large portions of his audience. How long did he think he could get away with it?

 

[Michie]

He stopped being funny and worked hard to alienate large portions of his audience. How long did he think he could get away with it?

Obviously forever.