ABC announced on Wednesday that it had pre-empted Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely after a monologue about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk sparked outrage across the country. The network’s move followed decisions by major station groups to stop airing the program, leaving viewers to wonder what comes next for a once-staple of network late night.
Kimmel’s on-air remarks suggested the alleged shooter should be characterized as part of the MAGA movement, a claim that drew quick pushback when prosecutors released evidence that undercut that narrative. Conservatives warned immediately that Kimmel’s rushed political insinuations were irresponsible and emblematic of a media culture that too often prefers partisan hits over facts.
What turned this from a scandal into a near-instant corporate showdown was pressure from the top of the federal regulator and from local station owners who answered calls from viewers and advertisers. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr publicly denounced Kimmel’s comments and urged broadcasters to pull the show, while Nexstar and Sinclair — two of the nation’s largest station groups — announced they would preempt the program on their ABC affiliates. That combination of regulatory scrutiny and local independence forced ABC’s hand.
Predictably, the left and establishment media framed the suspension as censorship and an attack on free speech, but conservatives see something very different: accountability. For years the late-night elite have treated political commentary as a license to smear opponents and to stitch together narratives before the facts are in; when that conduct crosses a line, local communities and station managers must have the authority to act in their own interests.
This is also a business story. Traditional late-night viewership has been sliding and Kimmel’s contract is due to expire, raising real questions about whether networks will continue to bankroll hosts who alienate massive swaths of the audience. Media companies like Disney must balance political posturing with shareholder interests and advertiser pressure, and the swift pre-emption shows that markets and local stations still hold meaningful power over corporate Hollywood.
Conservatives should not cheer censorship, but we should applaud responsible pushback when a purported entertainer weaponizes a tragedy for partisan gain. Nexstar and Sinclair acted on behalf of viewers who expect decency and community standards from the airwaves in their towns, and regulators signaled that there are consequences for deliberate misinformation and reckless partisan attacks. If big media wants trust restored, it will start by treating facts with the seriousness they deserve and by holding its own hosts to a higher standard.
Patriots who are fed up with a two-tiered media system should take note: local broadcasters can and will push back, and consumers have power at the dial and at the subscription box. Demand accountability from Disney and ABC, support local stations that reflect community values, and keep pressure on the networks that try to weaponize culture for ratings. Our country deserves media that serves the American people, not a partisan echo chamber.
