The View remains silent on Jimmy Kimmel fallout as Kimmel suspension roils media culture
Co-hosts on ABC's The View offered no public statement on the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live. The silence comes amid a broader controversy over how ABC and its parent company Disney have handled the fallout from remarks about a politica…
ABC's The View did not address the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! last week, a silence that drew attention amid liberal backlash to the Disney-owned network's decision. Kimmel's late-night program was pulled after he described Charlie Kirk's alleged shooter as part of the 'MAGA gang,' a remark that drew criticism from regulators and liberal critics alike. Disney and ABC chose to remove the show amid the controversy, and Kimmel was reported to have resisted offering a formal apology, saying he would defend his remarks and fight back against critics during a planned Wednesday episode.
The View's silence on the matter extended through Thursday's episode—part of the show's normal cycle on ABC's news division—without reference to the developing controversy. Friday's pre-taped program likewise did not address the suspension, a pattern that drew criticism from media observers and viewers who have followed the story since the initial decision to pull the show.
Fox News Digital reported that the network could address the Kimmel situation this week if there were new developments, while noting that the co-hosts were slated to interview former Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday about her new book, "107 Days." The absence of discussion on the show was cited by critics as indicative of broader editorial caution within ABC and Disney during the fallout. The silence has also sparked social-media debate among viewers; a handful of comments on YouTube and other platforms expressed disappointment that the program did not weigh in on a dispute that spilled into the broader culture conversation.
Comedian Bill Maher weighed in on the Friday edition of Real Time with empathy for Kimmel, recalling his own brush with cancellation a generation earlier. "It was 24 years to the day that I made comments on ABC that got me canceled from that network, and Jimmy Kimmel took my slot," Maher said, adding that he supported his fellow host and that the industry should stand by him. In a separate critique later, Maher quipped that ABC's producers might prefer to stay out of the fray, joking that "you don't have to pretend anymore that you like Disneyland" as a nod to Disney's corporate identity.
Nicolle Wallace, a former co-host of The View who now appears on another network, joined the commentary by noting that the silence was visible and that the decision to pull the show was being felt across ABC. The dynamic underscores how a single on-air remark can trigger a broader disruption in programming and corporate policy across a large media company.
From a timeline perspective, Kimmel's suspension followed his remarks about Charlie Kirk and the shooter, which were labeled by critics as offensive and incendiary. The FCC also weighed the remarks, and two major ABC affiliate owners pulled the program, intensifying the pressure on Disney and ABC to respond. Kimmel reportedly did not want to apologize for the comments, which is part of the reason the network ultimately elected to remove the show. The decision to pull "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" was announced, prompting a wave of commentary from media watchers and political commentators alike. Disney's stance remained the central hinge on how ABC and its affiliates handled the fallout, a topic that remains unsettled as new developments could emerge.
Analysts and critics emphasize that the controversy sits at the intersection of corporate policy, editorial standards, and the evolving norms of political satire in late-night television. The View's decision to stay quiet on the matter—at least in the immediate aftermath—has been interpreted by some observers as a sign of caution within ABC's news division amid the broader corporate scrutiny.
Looking ahead, the Tuesday Harris interview could provide a platform for a broader discussion, or the network may opt to address the matter only if new information comes to light. Viewers and critics will continue to monitor whether The View weighs in on the Kimmel incident in upcoming episodes or whether the conversation remains focused on other hot topics.
