On September 10, 2025, the tragic shooting of Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, at a Utah college campus sent shockwaves across the political spectrum. The incident, carried out by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, quickly became a lightning rod for political discourse. Among those who weighed in was late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, whose remarks on Jimmy Kimmel Live! sparked intense backlash, leading to the indefinite suspension of his show. Here’s a breakdown of what Kimmel said, the context, and the fallout.
Kimmel’s Initial Response
Hours after Kirk’s death, Kimmel took to Instagram with a measured statement condemning the violence:
“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.”
This post aimed to rise above the immediate politicization, urging unity in mourning. However, Kimmel’s tone shifted when he returned to his show.
Kimmel’s On-Air Comments
During the opening monologues of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 15 and 16, 2025, Kimmel addressed the political reactions to Kirk’s death, focusing on what he saw as hypocrisy from conservative figures, particularly MAGA supporters and President Trump.
- September 15, 2025: Kimmel remarked, “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.” This comment suggested that the shooter, Tyler Robinson, was aligned with MAGA ideology, despite emerging reports indicating Robinson had recently adopted leftist and pro-LBGTQ views, reportedly targeting Kirk due to perceived “hatred.” Kimmel’s framing drew criticism for misrepresenting Robinson’s motives, which were still unclear at the time.
Also read: Bhad Bhabie’s Viral Breakup Video - September 16, 2025: Kimmel turned his focus to President Trump’s response, playing a clip of Trump blaming Democrats for the assassination. Kimmel quipped, “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish.” He added, “Many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalise on the murder of Charlie Kirk,” accusing conservatives of exploiting the tragedy for political gain.
The Backlash
Kimmel’s comments, particularly his September 15 claim, ignited a firestorm. Conservatives argued that he falsely painted Robinson as a MAGA supporter, ignoring evidence of the shooter’s ideological shift. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr led the charge, calling Kimmel’s remarks “harmful, insensitive rhetoric” that could incite further division. On September 17, 2025, ABC announced the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, with Nexstar Media Group, a major operator of ABC affiliates, pulling the show entirely. Nexstar cited Kimmel’s comments as “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse.”
President Trump weighed in on Truth Social, celebrating the suspension: “Ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Live CANCELLED. Good riddance!” Meanwhile, Hollywood figures like Ben Stiller, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Wanda Sykes rallied behind Kimmel, framing the suspension as an attack on free speech. Kimmel reportedly planned to address the controversy in his next episode, but the show was preempted.
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The Bigger Picture
The controversy reflects deeper tensions in America’s polarized climate. Kirk’s death, like many high-profile tragedies, became a canvas for competing narratives. Kimmel’s critics argue he contributed to the problem by mischaracterizing the shooter, while his defenders see his comments as a critique of political opportunism. As of September 18, 2025, ABC has not announced a return date for the show, though insiders suggest the network is working to resolve the issue.
This episode underscores the challenges of discussing tragedy in a divided nation, where even late-night comedy can become a battleground. For now, Kimmel’s show remains off the air, and the debate over his words continues to simmer.