Trump Hails ABC’s Suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, Urges NBC to Follow Suit

Washington, D.C. — Following ABC’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air indefinitely, former President Donald Trump has publicly praised the move and urged NBC to take similar action against late‑night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers.

ABC, owned by Disney, announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be “pre‐empted indefinitely” after controversial remarks made by Jimmy Kimmel regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. (Reuters) Kimmel had criticized what he described as efforts by MAGA supporters—or those aligned with them—to distance the assailant from the movement in order to avoid political fallout. (Reuters)

In a post on his social platform Truth Social, Trump celebrated the suspension. He wrote, “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible.” (The Times of India)

But he did not stop there. Trump turned his focus to NBC, calling on that network to remove Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, whom he described as “total losers” on “Fake News NBC,” adding that their ratings are also “horrible.” “Do it NBC!!!” he declared. (The Times of India)

Reactions and Implications

The decision by ABC has ignited a heated debate over free speech, media regulation, and political influence in entertainment. Critics argue that drawing threats or pressure from regulatory bodies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prompt the removal of dissident voices amounts to censorship. (Business Insider)

The FCC Chair, Brendan Carr, had earlier suggested that ABC’s license could be under threat if it did not respond in some way to Kimmel’s statements. (Wikipedia) Democratic figures, as well as former President Barack Obama, have condemned the move as a dangerous overreach and a violation of First Amendment principles. (Business Insider)

Meanwhile, Fallon and Meyers have spoken up in defense of Kimmel and in opposition to what they see as an alarming precedent. Fallon, on The Tonight Show, described Kimmel as “a decent, funny, and loving guy” and expressed hope for his return. (NBC) Meyers used his Late Night platform to argue that the culture of punishing dissenting commentary poses a threat to democratic norms. (NBC)

What’s Next

It remains to be seen whether NBC will respond in any way to Trump’s demands. There is no indication so far that Fallon or Meyers will be removed or punished. The incident has sparked widespread discussion about where to draw the line between criticism, regulation, and free speech in media. Legal experts are watching closely as this situation could influence future regulatory policies, FCC oversight, and the broader media landscape.

As ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! sets a precedent, many fear that political pressure may increasingly be used to shape what is permissible commentary in late‑night television and other entertainment formats. The stakes are high not only for the hosts involved, but also for the principles of free expression in the United States.