ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel as cousin hints more bombshells to come

ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely last week after the late-night host’s remarks about Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin drew swift backlash from lawmakers and the media. ABC said the program would be pre-empted indefinitely as it reviews the situation and decides how to proceed with the show.

Kimmel’s monologue touched a nerve, drawing fire for commenting on the suspect in Kirk’s death, Tyler Robinson. In the remarks widely circulated by media outlets, Kimmel criticized how questions from the White House and President Donald Trump were handled, using pointed lines to describe the political dynamics at play. He said, "The MAGA gang are 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." He also invoked the stages of grief, suggesting, "He’s at the fourth stage of grief: construction," and questioned how an adult could mourn the death of a friend, calling the situation in jest a moment where "this is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish." These comments drew immediate pushback from audiences and critics alike, compounding tensions between the show and the network.

The fallout extended beyond social media, with government and industry figures weighing in. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr warned that an official investigation into Kimmel’s remarks could be launched, while President Trump celebrated the ousting in a post on Truth Social. Nexstar Media, a major broadcaster, issued a statement signaling it could pull Kimmel’s program, and ABC followed with the decision to suspend the show indefinitely. Those actions intensified concerns among staffers about the show’s future and revived questions about the boundaries of political satire on late-night television. Kimmel was reportedly livid about the network’s response, even as insiders noted the tensions had long been brewing.

On the Bill Simmons Podcast this week, Sal Iacono, Kimmel’s cousin and longtime staff contributor, signaled that more revelations were likely. Iacono said he was “feeling good” despite the tension surrounding the suspension and told Simmons, through a veil of vagueness, that there are “a couple bombshells still there.” He added that Kimmel will be fine with whatever he chooses to do next in his career, noting, “There are a couple bombshells still there. I wish I could say anything. There are a couple.” Iacono also quipped about a possible future outside late-night, joking that Kimmel could become a pop-up barbecue chef in the South Bay, a line that underscored the broader sense of uncertainty surrounding the host’s professional path. He emphasized that both he and Kimmel “know too much” to discuss details, describing the moment as “very emotional.”

The network’s suspension of Kimmel came amid a wider conversation about the boundaries of political commentary on late-night television and the consequences of controversial remarks. While ABC has not announced a timeline for Kimmel’s return, the ripple effects include staff concerns, potential shifts in programming, and ongoing public commentary from figures aligned with and opposed to Kimmel’s stance. The situation continues to unfold amid a media environment where celebrity culture, political discourse, and corporate governance intersect in real time, with fans and critics alike watching how the network balances accountability, creative expression, and audience expectations.