Jimmy Kimmel's Late-Night Reign Ends Abruptly Amid Trump-Backed FCC Crackdown

Jimmy Kimmel's Rise as Trump's Nemesis: A Tale of Late-Night Feuds In a shocking turn of events, ABC pulled late-night host Jimmy Kimmel off the air indefinitely on Wednesday night, following pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over comments made about the suspect apprehended for killing right-wing podcaster Charlie Kirk. This move marks a new low in the ongoing feud between Kimmel and President Donald Trump. Kimmel's suspension comes after a monologue Monday night in which he 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." Many read this as Kimmel implying that the shooter himself was right-wing. Late-night talk show monologues are supposed to be funny, not rigorous analysis. Industry insiders point out that Kimmel's comments were a departure from his typical lighthearted tone, sparking a heated debate about free speech and responsibility in late-night television. "Jimmy has always been known for pushing the envelope, but this time he may have crossed a line," said a source close to the network. Kimmel's rise as Trump's nemesis began several years ago when he started incorporating politics into his monologues. At first, it was just a few jokes about the president, but soon Kimmel became a vocal critic of Trump's policies and behavior. "Jimmy saw an opportunity to use his platform to speak out against what he believed was wrong," said a former producer on Kimmel's show. The feud between Kimmel and Trump escalated in 2020 when Trump tweeted that Kimmel was a "total disaster" and that his ratings were "terrible." Since then, the two have engaged in a series of public exchanges, with Kimmel frequently targeting Trump on his show. While some see Kimmel's suspension as a victory for Trump, others argue that it's a blow to free speech and the First Amendment. "This is a slippery slope," said media critic and professor, Dr. Jeffrey McCall. "If we start censoring late-night hosts for their opinions, where do we draw the line?" The FCC has not commented on its involvement in Kimmel's suspension, but sources close to the network say that it was a joint decision made by ABC and the FCC. As for Kimmel, his team remains tight-lipped about his future on the show. "We're exploring all options," said a spokesperson for Kimmel. "Jimmy is committed to using his platform to speak truth to power and will continue to do so." The drama surrounding Kimmel's suspension has sparked a heated debate among late-night fans, with many taking to social media to express their support for the embattled host. As one fan tweeted, "Free Jimmy Kimmel!" Background: ABC pulled Kimmel off the air indefinitely on Wednesday night following pressure from the FCC. Kimmel's suspension comes after a monologue Monday night in which he made comments about the suspect apprehended for killing right-wing podcaster Charlie Kirk. The feud between Kimmel and Trump began several years ago when Kimmel started incorporating politics into his monologues. Additional Perspectives: Industry insiders point out that Kimmel's comments were a departure from his typical lighthearted tone, sparking a heated debate about free speech and responsibility in late-night television. Media critic and professor, Dr. Jeffrey McCall, argues that this is a slippery slope and that censoring late-night hosts for their opinions could have far-reaching consequences. Current Status: Kimmel's team remains tight-lipped about his future on the show. The FCC has not commented on its involvement in Kimmel's suspension. Next Developments: ABC will likely face pressure from fans and critics to reinstate Kimmel to his show. The FCC may be forced to address its role in Kimmel's suspension, sparking a wider debate about free speech and censorship. *Reporting by Vox.*