Sinclair and Nexstar reinstate Jimmy Kimmel live after suspending it over Kirk assassination remarks
Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show has returned to the screens of Sinclair and Nexstar’s ABC affiliates after the networks initially pulled the plug in response to his controversial comments on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The Disney-owned broadcaster ABC confirmed the reinstatement on Tuesday after a wave of public backlash. The reversal capped a week of extraordinary drama that pitted one of the United States’ most recognisable television personalities against powerful media operators with strong political ties.
Kimmel had sparked outrage when he accused former President Donald Trump and his allies of exploiting Kirk’s killing for political gain. His remarks prompted Sinclair, which owns 38 ABC affiliates from Seattle to Washington DC, to demand both an apology to Kirk’s family and a donation to Turning Point USA, the conservative organisation Kirk founded. Nexstar, which owns more than a fifth of the nation’s ABC affiliates, joined Sinclair in refusing to air Jimmy Kimmel Live.
ABC, under pressure, suspended the show last week. Reports later suggested that the Trump-appointed head of the Federal Communications Commission had threatened consequences if the programme continued in its usual slot. The decision fuelled a wave of criticism from viewers, civil liberties advocates, and media watchdogs, who accused the networks of bowing to political pressure and undermining free expression.
When the show returned, Kimmel wasted no time addressing the controversy. He blasted the affiliates that had pre-empted his programme, telling his audience: “That’s not legal. That’s not American. It’s un-American.” His defiance only seemed to galvanise supporters, many of whom had taken to social media to demand his reinstatement.
Actor and well-known Hollywood personality Gregg Donovan was among those who rallied behind the host, holding up a sign reading “Welcome Back Jimmy” outside the studio.
Despite their hardline stance just days earlier, Sinclair and Nexstar announced three days later that Kimmel’s show would once again be carried across their stations. The networks offered little explanation for their sudden change of heart, but industry insiders point to overwhelming viewer pressure and the risk of alienating audiences.
The incident underscored the fragile balance between corporate broadcasting interests, political sensitivities, and freedom of speech in America’s charged media landscape. For Kimmel, the confrontation also reaffirmed his role not only as an entertainer but as a lightning rod in the culture wars dominating American politics.
The suspension marked one of the most direct clashes yet between a late-night television host and conservative-leaning broadcast operators. While fiery monologues have long been a staple of the late-night format, rarely have network affiliates moved so aggressively to silence a national host in the immediate aftermath of a political assassination.
Kimmel’s reinstatement illustrates the power of public opinion in shaping corporate decisions. Viewers who flooded network offices, advertisers, and social media with demands for the show’s return appear to have forced Sinclair and Nexstar to reconsider. What began as a week-long blackout has now ended with Jimmy Kimmel Live back on the air, though the scars of the dispute are likely to linger.
Whether Kimmel will temper his commentary in the wake of this episode remains uncertain. For now, he has turned the confrontation into a victory, framing his return as a defence of free speech and a rejection of political intimidation.