Jimmy Kimmel Seeks Exit From ABC Contract After Suspension Over Charlie Kirk Remarks
Insiders say the host is intent on severing ties with ABC as his show remains off the air; reports also tie potential Colbert collaboration to broader political tensions.
Jimmy Kimmel appears to be pursuing a breakup with ABC following the network’s decision to pull his late-night program from the air indefinitely after his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death drew controversy. People familiar with the matter told the Daily Mail that the host is “absolutely livid” about the suspension and is actively seeking ways to end his relationship with the network, potentially by seeking a guest appearance on Stephen Colbert’s show before it is reportedly axed next year. The same outlet quoted an insider saying, “Jimmy is pissed over the decision to suspend him and the show and he isn’t going to take this lightly, as he is actively looking for ways to get out of his contract.”
Kimmel’s program, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was taken off the air after what the network described as remarks about Charlie Kirk’s killing. Kirk, a right-wing political activist, was shot and killed on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University; he was 31. The status of the show’s future remains unresolved as ABC contends with the decision to suspend production and air. Reuters outlined the timeline: Kimmel spoke briefly on Monday about the murder, suggesting that Trump’s MAGA movement was leveraging the incident for political points, a characterization he described as a new low in political discourse. The remarks prompted ABC to pull the program “indefinitely,” the network said to various outlets.
The Daily Mail’s report also claimed that Kimmel and Colbert, both veteran late-night hosts, are contemplating joint action against what the insider characterized as the Trump administration’s political climate. The outlet quoted the insider saying the two hosts were “looking to do something together to fight” against the administration and that this development has renewed a sense of urgency for Kimmel to stay true to his voice on political matters. The source added that Kimmel’s concern extended beyond the show’s survival to the broader precedent set by limits on a comedian’s ability to comment on political events.
The reported plan to work with Colbert comes as the two hosts have been positioned by observers as potential counterweights in the late-night arena, particularly as questions swirl about how networks should handle political content in an era of intense partisan polarization. The insider’s assertion that Kimmel would mobilize Hollywood allies to press ABC to reconsider or “break” with the network reflects a broader debate in entertainment about editorial independence and corporate risk in a charged political environment. An additional claim in the Daily Mail piece suggested that Kimmel could galvanize appearances on other ABC programs—such as The View—by signaling a broader coalition of performers who might reconsider collaborations with the network if the suspension persisted. Page Six reported that representatives for ABC, Kimmel, and Colbert did not respond to requests for comment, leaving these accounts unconfirmed by the parties involved.
Trump reacted to the news on Truth Social, praising the decision to suspend Kimmel and suggesting that the show’s ratings had been lackluster. “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED,” the former president wrote, adding that ABC had done what “had to be done.” He also singled out Kimmel and Colbert as “two total losers” and urged NBC to pick up the pair, signaling that the controversy has spilled into the political arena in a way that could influence public perception of late-night television as a business asset. The president’s post was echoed by other pundits and commentators on social media, further intensifying questions about how networks and advertisers will respond to politically charged programming in the months ahead.
In response to the unfolding situation, ABC and Disney affiliates have largely deferred comment while observers weigh the potential business implications for the network. The suspension comes at a time when late-night hosts face increasing scrutiny for how they address political violence and the language they use when discussing public figures. While there is no official timetable for the return of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, executives on both sides have signaled that any decision will be tied to ongoing internal reviews and negotiations with production partners. The absence of a public timeline has stirred speculation about whether the network will pursue a revised format, a relocation to a streaming platform, or a longer-term hiatus that could shift the competitive landscape of late-night television.
As this story continues to unfold, industry watchers are watching for indicators of how the dispute might affect ABC’s programming strategy and advertising revenue. The stakes extend beyond a single host and a single show, touching on how networks balance editorial independence with corporate risk when faced with high-profile political commentary. While the exact terms of any contract exit or potential new collaborations remain publicly unconfirmed, the reported developments underscore the evolving dynamics of the business side of late-night television in a polarized era.
The evolving dispute highlights the uncertain terrain for media brands navigating politically charged content and the potential impact on partnerships, sponsorships, and audience engagement. For now, ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live and the surrounding rumors remain unconfirmed in detail by the network, but the public reaction and industry speculation suggest a watershed moment in how late-night programming grapples with the political moment and the business consequences that follow.