According to a Fox News report, dozens of ABC affiliates will air a tribute special for Charlie Kirk in Jimmy Kimmel’s time slot on Friday, following backlash to the late-night host’s controversial remarks about the conservative activist’s alleged assassin.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, which runs 30 ABC affiliates, said Wednesday it would broadcast a program “in remembrance of Charlie Kirk” after Disney pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely.
Sinclair had already joined Nexstar Media Group in pre-empting Kimmel’s show before Disney’s announcement.
“Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” Sinclair Vice Chairman Jason Smith said. The company added it would not lift the suspension “until formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability.”
“Sinclair also calls upon Mr. Kimmel to issue a direct apology to the Kirk family. Furthermore, we ask Mr. Kimmel to make a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk family and Turning Point USA,” the company said. “Regardless of ABC’s plans for the future of the program, Sinclair intends not to return Jimmy Kimmel Live! to our air until we are confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform.”
Nexstar issued a similar statement earlier Wednesday.
“Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views or values of the local communities in which we are located,” said Andrew Alford, Nexstar’s broadcasting chief.
“Continuing to give Mr. Kimmel a broadcast platform in the communities we serve is simply not in the public interest at the current time, and we have made the difficult decision to pre-empt his show in an effort to let cooler heads prevail as we move toward the resumption of respectful, constructive dialogue.”
More over at Fox News:
Dozens of ABC stations to air Charlie Kirk tribute during Kimmel’s OLD time slot.#wearecharliekirk
@libsoftiktok https://t.co/FSBfIKfa2S— Patrick (@pkaralus) September 18, 2025
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