Jimmy Kimmel fired amid Charlie Kirk row? What Nexstar's latest ABC Stations move means
Nexstar Media Group suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live indefinitely from ABC affiliates after Kimmel’s remarks on Charlie Kirk, announced Wednesday.
Jimmy Kimmel's show, 'Jilly Kimmel Live,' was suspended indefinitely by the Nexstar Media Group from their ABC affiliate channels over the Late-night show host's comments on Charlie Kirk. The decision was announced by Nextar Media Group in a statement on Wednesday.
Shortly after Nexstar, ABC followed suit, with a spokesperson saying that ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ will be put off air indefinitely. The backlash came after FCC chairman, Brendan Carr' hit out at Kimmel over his comments on Kirk. “Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be preempted indefinitely,” an ABC spokesperson confirmed to Deadline!
A statement from the Irving, Texas-based media group on Wednesday announcing the removal of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ read: "Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets."
The statement also had a quote from Andrew Alford, the President of Nexstar’s broadcasting division.
It read: “Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located.”
Nexstar owns or operates 24 ABC-affiliated stations. Some prominent ones include WGNO in New Orleans, WKRN in Nashville, WATE in Knoxville, WHTM in the Harrisburg/Lancaster/York region of Pennsylvania, and WTEN in Albany, New York.
Here's the full statement:
What Did Jimmy Kimmel Say About Charlie Kirk?
Jimmy Kimmel commented on the assassination of Charlie Kirk by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson on September 9 at Utah Valley University. Kimmel said that Robinson was associated with the Make America Great Again (MAGA), saying that he was part of the 'MAGA gang.' He, however, did not elaborate further on the basis on which he claimed so.
Also read: Jimmy Kimmel faces fire calls for Charlie Kirk comment: What did ABC talk show host say?
Tyler Robinson's Motive
Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect who fatally shot Charlie Kirk, appeared at the Utah County Court in Provo on Tuesday and confessed to killing Kirk. Robinson revealed in text messages to his partner and roommate that he "had had enough of his hatred" and thought “Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
This has been pinned as the motive behind the killing of Kirk.
