Kimmel seeks exit from ABC as contract dispute grows after suspension over Charlie Kirk remarks
Insiders say the host intends to sever ties with ABC amid an indefinite suspension, with talks of cross-network collaboration surfacing as the case unfolds.
Jimmy Kimmel is reportedly seeking to end his contract with ABC after the network suspended his late-night program following remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death. An insider cited by Page Six and Daily Mail portrayed Kimmel as “absolutely livid” about the decision and said he is actively looking to break his relationship with the network forever, including plans to appear on Stephen Colbert’s show before it could be canceled next year. The backdrop to the dispute is a broader, highly publicized clash over speech and its consequences in the late-night space, amplified by responses from figures across the political spectrum.
The suspension came with ABC saying that Jimmy Kimmel Live has been pulled off the air “indefinitely” after the remarks about Kirk, a right-wing activist who was shot and killed on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. Kimmel addressed the killing on his show Monday, suggesting that Trump’s MAGA movement was trying to co-opt the incident for political gain. The timing and content of his comments appear to have been central to the network’s decision, according to reports circulating in entertainment outlets.
Sources have also floated that Kimmel and Colbert, both prominent late-night hosts, are considering joint efforts to counter what insiders describe as a political environment they view as hostile to independent commentary. One insider characterized the potential collaboration as part of a broader push to “fight” against the Trump administration. The claims—including that Kimmel did not say anything that he believed warranted such a response and that the First Amendment should shield commentary—are attributed to unnamed insiders quoted in tabloid outlets and have not been independently verified by ABC or the networks involved.
Representatives for ABC, Kimmel, and Colbert did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Page Six. The repeated references to a broader Hollywood push against ABC’s actions underscore the high-profile nature of the dispute and the potential implications for talent relationships across Disney’s TV portfolio.
Following the suspension, former President Donald Trump seized on the development in a post on Truth Social, celebrating the move and calling Kimmel’s ratings “horrible” in comparison to Colbert. The social-media missive helped frame the incident not only as a network personnel matter but as a flashpoint in the ongoing reckoning over media personalities and political rhetoric.
As the industry watches, Kimmel’s future—whether he will remain with ABC or pursue a departure—remains unsettled. The timing aligns with a broader conversation about talent contracts, editorial discretion, and the boundaries of on-air criticism in a polarized media landscape. While ABC has not provided a timetable for resumption of the show, the implications extend beyond a single program, touching on advertiser confidence, talent mobility, and the strategic direction of Disney’s television operations in an era of shifting viewership and online amplification.
The situation highlights how a single on-air remark can ripple through executive suites, influence contract leverage, and spark public debate about free expression, accountability, and the role of entertainment outlets in political discourse. As outlets continue to report on the evolving story, observers will be watching for formal statements from ABC and further developments regarding Kimmel’s contract status and potential cross-network collaborations.