ABC pulls Kimmel's show

Network announces indefinite pause after Kirk remarks

- STEPHEN BATTAGLIO

Walt Disney Co.-owned broadcaster ABC said it is pulling "Jimmy Kimmel Live" indefinitely following sharp backlash over the host's remarks about slain right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

The move comes after station owner Nexstar Media Group said it would yank the show from its ABC affiliate stations as a result of the comments.

The Irving, Texas-based Nexstar announced Wednesday that Kimmel will be off its stations for the foreseeable future.

"Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets," a company representative said in a statement.

Kimmel said during a monologue on his Monday program that Tyler Robinson, the Utah man accused in the shooting death of Kirk, might have been a pro-Trump Republican. He said MAGA supporters "are desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it."

Kimmel then mocked President Trump for talking about the construction of a new White House ballroom after being asked how he was reacting to the murder of his close ally.

Law enforcement officials revealed Tuesday that Robinson had liberal political leanings and expressed disdain for Kirk in communications with his roommate.