Donald Trump is openly celebrating after ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel has been placed on suspension following the late-night host’s controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The former president, who has long feuded with Kimmel, wasted no time taking a victory lap on Truth Social, declaring it a “great day for America” and praising networks that chose to fill Kimmel’s usual time slot with special tributes to Kirk. The New York Times confirmed that ABC executives acted after days of mounting outrage, advertiser pressure, and furious calls from Trump allies for Kimmel’s firing.
Kimmel was pulled off the air after a firestorm erupted when he appeared to joke about Kirk’s assassination during a monologue earlier this week. While Kimmel insisted he was pointing to the dangers of toxic rhetoric, many saw the remarks as mocking Kirk’s death. Fox News reported that advertisers began privately pressuring ABC to take action, with one major sponsor threatening to pull millions in ad buys if the network failed to respond. The suspension, though officially “temporary,” has already been celebrated by Trump’s base as a rare instance of Hollywood accountability.
Trump’s response was swift and gloating. On Truth Social, he wrote: “Jimmy Kimmel thought assassinations were funny. Now HE is the joke. Great to see ABC finally do the right thing. America deserves better.” The Guardian noted that Trump’s comments highlight a personal vendetta — the former president has repeatedly clashed with Kimmel over years of biting jokes aimed at his presidency.
Trump is bragging on Truth Social about Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension: “Finally, Hollywood pays a price.” — @Acyn
Even more striking is how several networks filled Kimmel’s absence. ABC affiliates in multiple states aired hastily assembled specials honoring Kirk’s life and work, featuring clips of his speeches, interviews with Turning Point USA members, and emotional tributes from friends and family. According to The Los Angeles Times, one program opened with a montage of Kirk addressing cheering students, set to somber piano music. Fans online described the move as “powerful” and “the respect Charlie deserves.”
In Arizona, Fox affiliate stations scrapped planned reruns and instead broadcast a prime-time tribute titled *Charlie Kirk: Voice of a Generation*. The special, which drew huge ratings, featured footage of candlelight vigils, exclusive comments from Kirk’s widow Erika, and interviews with young conservatives who credited him with shaping their political identities. Politico reported that the programming shift underscored how deeply Kirk’s death has resonated within conservative media ecosystems.
Networks pulled Jimmy Kimmel — and replaced him with Charlie Kirk tributes. A stunning turn in American media. — @seanfeucht
But the fallout has not been universally celebrated. Progressives slammed the decision to suspend Kimmel as caving to political pressure, warning of a chilling effect on comedians and satirists. CNN analysis argued that late-night comedy has always been provocative, and that punishing a host for offending political figures sets a troubling precedent. Liberal commentators accused ABC of prioritizing advertisers over free speech, while noting that Kimmel’s comments were clumsy but not outright celebratory of violence.
Meanwhile, the Kirk family has expressed gratitude for the tributes. Erika Kirk released a brief statement, thanking networks and fans for honoring her husband’s memory. “Charlie gave his life to his cause. Seeing his message remembered so beautifully is a comfort to our family,” she said, according to NBC News. Her words were met with cheers from Kirk supporters who gathered outside Turning Point USA headquarters, where a giant screen played clips from the tribute specials.
Charlie Kirk’s family thanked networks for airing tributes. Erika Kirk: “He gave his life to his cause.” — @bennyjohnson
The controversy has further polarized America’s media landscape. While conservatives hail the suspension as overdue accountability, liberal critics see it as the dangerous politicization of corporate decisions. Reuters noted that the episode reflects a new front in the culture wars, where even entertainment programming is weaponized by both sides as proof of victory or suppression.
As ABC deliberates on whether Kimmel will return, speculation is mounting that the network could push him to issue a public apology. Others believe his time slot may be permanently reshaped, with Kirk tributes already drawing higher ratings than Kimmel’s usual numbers in some markets. According to The Wall Street Journal, at least two national advertisers have already redirected their budgets away from late-night comedy and toward what they described as “programming that honors American values.”
Kimmel’s suspension isn’t just about one joke. It’s about who controls the culture. And right now, conservatives are winning. — @JackPosobiec
Trump, never one to let a feud fade, hinted that more late-night hosts could face similar pressure if they “keep mocking patriots.” His remarks, carried by Daily Mail, signal that conservatives view Kimmel’s suspension as a precedent-setting win in their broader campaign against what they call “liberal media bias.” Whether Kimmel apologizes, resigns, or fights back, the fallout has already ensured that Charlie Kirk’s name — and the controversy surrounding his assassination — will continue to dominate America’s cultural and political conversation.
