Kimmel comeback derailed as Sinclair affiliates preempt ABC show amid Disney-MAGA tensions

In a move that tests the leverage of ABC’s late-night lineup, Sinclair Broadcast Group said it will preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! across its ABC-affiliate stations beginning Tuesday, replacing the show with news programming in nearly 40 markets while discussions with ABC continue. Disney, the network’s parent company, has announced that Kimmel will return to air on Tuesday after a suspension that was announced last week.

The decision places a wide swath of the country outside the traditional Kimmel viewing window, with Sinclair’s biggest outlet in Washington, D.C., WJLA, among those affected. Sinclair said its affiliate policy would keep the program off the air until formal discussions with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability have concluded, though talks are ongoing. The stance underscores a broader tension between networks’ editorial choices and affiliate risk tolerance in a highly polarized media environment.

Disney, which owns ABC, had moved to suspend Kimmel's show last Wednesday after the host made remarks about the suspect in the case being characterized in a way that sparked immediate backlash. A Disney statement said, in part, that the company decided to suspend production “to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” but that after thoughtful conversations with Kimmel, the show would return on Tuesday. The network gave no additional details about the terms of the return.

Kimmel’s remarks, aired Monday, targeted what he termed a “MAGA gang” that he said was attempting to portray the suspect in the Kirk case in a way that fit political points rather than the reality of the tragedy. The comments drew criticism from some lawmakers and regulators, and the Federal Communications Commission’s Brendan Carr said the agency was reviewing the potential for an investigation in light of the remarks.

Prosecutors say the suspect, Tyler Robinson, has been charged with capital murder. They released text messages and other evidence they say hint at a motive, including a message to a transgender partner in which the writer appeared to lash out at the victim and express frustration about his own political beliefs. In another message, the suspect described his father as being “pretty die-hard MAGA” since Trump’s reelection, according to court documents reviewed by investigators. Utah Governor Spencer Cox noted that the suspect’s ideology appeared different from his family’s views and that radicalization may have played a role.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr told a conservative podcast that an apology from Kimmel could be a very reasonable, minimal step, and some have called for a direct apology to the Kirk family and a donation to the Kirk Family and Turning Point USA, a conservative campus group founded by Kirk. Disney and ABC executives have not detailed whether Kimmel will address the remarks on air upon his return.

The suspension and the ensuing dispute over air scheduling illustrate how entertainment programming can be pressured by political anger and corporate risk management. While Disney and ABC emphasize accountability and professional standards, Sinclair’s actions highlight how local stations retain significant leverage when deciding what content to broadcast, even for flagship late-night programming. The situation also spotlights the ongoing tension between political discourse in media and the business imperatives of networks trying to preserve intact national and local news ecosystems.

As the Tuesday return looms, observers will watch whether Kimmel will address the controversy directly, whether affiliates will adhere to Sinclair’s preemption posture, and how the broader debate over content, accountability, and political rhetoric will influence the late-night landscape in the months ahead.