Late night host Jimmy Kimmel said he was unwilling to apologize for his remarks that blamed MAGA supporters for killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk — and said he was going to double down on attacking President Trump’s backers before he was yanked from the air, according to new reports.
Kimmel learned in a phone call from top Disney exec Dana Walden on Wednesday afternoon that his show was being removed indefinitely, Deadline reported, citing sources.
During the call, Kimmel reportedly refused to comply with calls from critics and the owners of dozens of ABC affiliate stations for him to apologize.
Jimmy Kimmel told Disney executive Dana Walden he would double down on MAGA comments. Getty ImagesKimmel felt his remarks required no apologies, another source told The Hollywood Reporter.
The “Jimmy Kimmel Live” host also claimed that he was planning to call out his critics for the latest attack on him, all while trying to clarify his comments about Kirk’s death.
Kimmel has claimed that his comments were mischaracterized when he said during a Monday night show that the “MAGA gang” was “desperately” trying to pin left-wing ideology on Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old indicted for Kirk’s murder.
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Disney, however, felt that if Kimmel had doubled down on his MAGA comments, the company would have been forced to make a more drastic decision than simply suspending the show, sources told Deadline.
It remains unclear if Kimmel is willing to return to host the late night show following Disney’s actions.
Walden called Kimmel on Wednesday, informing him that his show has been removed indefinitely. ABC
Critics have called on the late-night host to apologize for the remarks he made about the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. APDisney came under fire from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr over Kimmel’s comments about Kirk’s killer, with Carr demanding action from the company after hearing “some of the sickest conduct possible.”
Along with Carr, Kimmel faced backlash from the Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nextar, which own dozens of ABC affiliates, both of whom slammed Kimmel and pre-empted his show.
Sinclair went as far as to demand that Kimmel issue a direct apology to Kirk’s family and make a “meaningful personal donation” to Kirk’s Turning Point USA.
Kimmel has faced backlash from network executives for his recent comments. REUTERS
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr said the ABC host’s comments were “some of the sickest conduct possible.” Getty ImagesThe company vowed not to return Kimmel’s show on the 40-some ABC affiliates that it owns and operates “until formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability.”
Both Sinclair and Nexstar have been accused of bowing to the Trump administration to curry favor as they prepare for billion dollar mergers that would require FCC approval.
ABC announced Wednesday that production of Kimmel’s late-night program had been suspended indefinitely due to Monday’s monologue.
