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ABC, owned by Disney, announced that the show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” will be suspended indefinitely following the monologue this Monday in which the host commented on the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
According to U.S. media, the decision comes after the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr, harshly criticized Kimmel and threatened to "take action" against Disney and ABC.
During his speech, Kimmel suggested the possibility that the alleged murderer, Tyler Robinson, was a Republican and supporter of Donald Trump, stating that “the MAGA gang” was trying to portray him as something other than “one of their own” to gain political advantage.
"The MAGA gang is desperately trying to frame this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as something different from one of them, and they are doing everything possible to score political points with it,” Kimmel said.
The case of Kirk —co-founder of Turning Point USA, who was shot last week while giving a lecture at the University of Utah Valley— heightened the atmosphere of polarization.
Carr described Kimmel's words as “the most pathological behavior possible” and suggested that the FCC could review or revoke the licenses of ABC affiliates as punishment.
Commissioner Anna Gómez publicly questioned Carr on X regarding his statements.
In parallel, Nexstar Media Group —with over 200 stations in the U.S.— announced that its ABC affiliates will replace “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” starting this Wednesday night and for the foreseeable future; Carr thanked the company “for doing the right thing.”
The suspension on ABC is announced two months after CBS communicated the definitive end of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”, a measure that the network attributed to “purely financial” reasons in light of the challenging landscape of the nighttime slot; Colbert's followers interpreted it as a punishment for his criticisms of former President Trump.
ABC did not specify how long the suspension will last or what will fill the show's time slot. Meanwhile, the debate surrounding the limits of political satire and the role of regulators regarding content broadcast by open networks and their affiliates continues to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions about the cancellation of the show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and the assassination of Charlie Kirk
Why was the show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" canceled?
The show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" has been indefinitely suspended following a monologue in which the host made comments about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr, harshly criticized Kimmel and threatened to take action against Disney and ABC, prompting the network to cancel the program.
Who was Charlie Kirk and why has his assassination caused such a commotion?
Charlie Kirk was a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, an influential organization in the youth political sphere in the United States. His assassination has caused great shock due to his close ties with President Donald Trump and his role as a leader of youth conservatism in the country, as well as the existing context of political polarization.
What measures has the FCC taken regarding Jimmy Kimmel's comments?
The president of the FCC, Brendan Carr, described Kimmel's words as "the most sickening conduct possible" and raised the possibility of reviewing or revoking the licenses of ABC affiliates as punishment for the comments made on the show. These statements have intensified the debate over the boundaries of political satire in the media.
How has the conservative community responded to the assassination of Charlie Kirk?
The conservative community has responded with multiple messages of condolence and calls for justice. The figure of Kirk has been honored with vigils, and there are plans to erect a statue in his honor at the New College of Florida. These events reflect concern over the rise of political violence in the United States.
What is the legal situation of the alleged murderer of Charlie Kirk?
The alleged murderer, Tyler Robinson, 22 years old, has been charged with aggravated murder, a charge that could lead to the death penalty if convicted. The investigation indicates that Robinson acted alone, and his DNA was found on the weapon used in the attack.
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