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Jimmy Kimmel is facing intense backlash after remarks he made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The late-night host, known for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, has seen his career take a hit as ABC suspended his show indefinitely on September 17, 2025. The suspension came after pressure from Nexstar Media Group and criticism from FCC chairman Brendan Carr, who called Kimmel’s comments “truly sick” and accused him of misleading the public about the case. Nexstar’s broadcasting president, Andrew Alford, also described the remarks as “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse.”
Netizens have been debating whether Jimmy Kimmel should take legal action against ABC and Nexstar. Many argue that he has grounds to sue, citing his contract, which allows him to comment on any subject, and his role as a TV host to address sensitive issues with humor. A viral post on X claimed that he might sue for a billion dollars, though fact-checks, including one from Elon Musk’s AI bot Grok, confirmed no lawsuit has been filed as of September 18, 2025. Legal analysts suggest he could have a First Amendment claim due to alleged FCC pressure, but nothing has been officially filed.
Supporters online argue that Kimmel’s termination was a violation of free speech and see his role as a host to comment on controversial topics as part of his job. Some have even suggested that he team up with Stephen Colbert to challenge what they see as unconstitutional coercion or wrongful termination.
The situation raises questions about the balance between freedom of expression in comedy and sensitivity to national tragedies, as well as the role of networks and regulators in policing speech. Netizens are clearly divided, with some backing Kimmel and others condemning his remarks, highlighting the deep political and cultural tensions surrounding the case.