Disney representatives, Kimmel tried defusing Kirk anger before program pulled

Walt Disney representatives and talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel raced to find the right words on Wednesday to calm a social media furor that erupted following criticism of his remarks about assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Kimmel’s comments in his monologue on Monday had angered many, and the reaction reached a fever pitch on Wednesday, including death threats that raised concerns for the safety of Kimmel and his staff, the source said. The late-night host prepared to make a statement, but Kimmel and Disney representatives could not find language that they agreed would not further inflame the situation, the source said.

As the show’s 4:30 p.m. taping time approached, Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment co-Chairman Dana Walden agreed that the best approach would be to take the show off the air and later find a way to bring Kimmel back, the source said. Walden informed Kimmel of the decision.

A representative for Kimmel did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

Executives will meet with Kimmel to discuss the future of his program, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing three people with knowledge of the matter.

Disney-owned ABC said it pulled Kimmel’s show off the air over comments by the late-night show host about the assassination of Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist and co-founder of the nonprofit Turning Point USA and a close political ally of President Donald Trump. Many in Hollywood decried the decision, saying the company was bowing to political pressure and that it was an assault on free speech.

Kimmel, who has frequently targeted Trump on his comedy show, said in his monologue on Monday: “We hit some new lows over the weekend, with the MAGA gang 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.”

As Disney wrestled with the gathering social media controversy, Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr, in a podcast appearance on Wednesday, said that Kimmel had misled viewers about the alleged shooter’s MAGA affiliation. Carr also raised the possibility that the FCC could revoke the broadcast licenses of local television stations that carry such “garbage.”

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr said in an interview with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson. “These companies can find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel.”

The nation’s largest local television station group, Nexstar Media, and Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns many of ABC’s local TV affiliates, said they would stop airing the show following Kimmel’s monologue. Sinclair said Kimmel’s show would be suspended until he apologizes to the Kirk family. Nexstar and Sinclair both have merger deals pending before the FCC.

Trump, during a state visit to Bahrain on Thursday, said Kimmel had been punished for saying “a horrible thing” about Kirk, who is credited with building support for Trump among young conservative voters.