Donald Trump Celebrates ABC’s Decision to Pull Jimmy Kimmel From the Airwaves
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In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump has publicly celebrated the decision by Disney’s ABC to indefinitely pull the late-night show ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ off the air. This decision comes after controversial comments made by host Jimmy Kimmel regarding the tragic death of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk.
The announcement of the show’s indefinite suspension was confirmed by a spokesperson for ABC to PEOPLE on Wednesday, Sept. 17. This move follows Kimmel’s monologue on Monday, Sept. 15, where he addressed Trump’s supporters and referenced Kirk, who was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University.
President Trump wasted no time in expressing his approval of ABC’s decision on his Truth Social platform. He wrote, “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED,” praising ABC for having the courage to take action. Trump also took the opportunity to criticise other late-night hosts, including Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers, for their ratings and performances.
In response to Kirk’s tragic death, Trump announced his intention to posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. Trump expressed his admiration for Kirk, highlighting his understanding and connection with the youth of America.
Kimmel’s critical comments during his September 15 broadcast triggered a swift backlash, with Nexstar Media, a major media company in the U.S., deciding to preempt the airing of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ in its ABC-affiliated markets. Nexstar President Andrew Alford denounced Kimmel’s remarks as offensive and insensitive, stating that they do not align with the values of the local communities they serve.
The decision to pull Kimmel’s show from the airwaves reflects the increasingly contentious political climate in the country, with media platforms facing scrutiny over their content and hosts’ statements. This incident serves as a reminder of the powerful influence of media personalities and the impact of their words on public discourse.
As the debate over freedom of speech and responsible journalism continues, the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel and his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death raises important questions about the boundaries of political commentary in the media landscape. It remains to be seen how these events will shape the future of late-night television and the broader cultural conversation in the United States.