ABC has pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the air following backlash over comments the late-night host made regarding the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, as reported [1] by The New York Post.
Kimmel and his longtime sidekick, Guillermo Rodriguez, were seen leaving the El Capitan Entertainment Centre in Los Angeles on Wednesday night after being informed of the network’s decision.
Video captured by NBC 4 Los Angeles showed Kimmel, wearing a flannel shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap, quickly entering a black Chevy Silverado with assistance from an aide.
Rodriguez, who has worked on the show since its debut in 2003, appeared visibly upset as staffers left the studio with equipment.
LOL!! Jimmy Kimmel was spotted leaving the studio in a decoy vehicle from a parking garage after ABC “indefinitely” pulls the plug on his show over his Charlie Kirk assassination remarks.
Jimmy!
pic.twitter.com/YSwOEX33rr [2]— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) September 18, 2025 [3]
Rodriguez, who began his career as a parking lot security guard before becoming a full-time fixture on the show, has not publicly commented on the show’s cancellation.
According to reports, Kimmel had been scheduled to address his remarks during Wednesday’s broadcast but was informed at the last minute that the program would not air. Insiders said the decision left the 57-year-old comedian “absolutely f**king livid.”
Kimmel drew criticism after his Monday monologue, where he accused conservatives of exploiting Kirk’s murder.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said.
Dear dishonest corporate media hobgoblins:
Jimmy Kimmel did not make a “joke.”
Jimmy Kimmel went on air and told the ABC audience that Charlie Kirk’s assassin was a MAGA conservative, effectively blaming Charlie Kirk for his own assassination.
Then he accusing the right of… pic.twitter.com/or7uP5i3AR [4]
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 18, 2025 [5]
Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck while speaking at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on September 10.
Authorities identified the suspected gunman as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who has since been arrested and charged with aggravated murder and other offenses.
Nexstar Media Group, an affiliate of ABC, confirmed the decision to preempt Kimmel’s show following his remarks. The move makes Kimmel the second late-night host to lose a platform this year after CBS announced Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show would conclude in 2026.
President Donald Trump reacted to the cancellation on Truth Social, writing:
“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. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!!”
Sources told the Daily Mail that Kimmel is expected to meet with ABC executives following the decision.