Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has urged comedian Jimmy Kimmel to pursue legal action following the suspension of Kimmel's program on ABC.
"America is meant to be a bastion of free speech. Everybody across the political spectrum should be speaking out to stop what's happening to Jimmy Kimmel. This is about protecting democracy. This must go to court," the Senate minority leader posted on X Wednesday morning.
ABC suspended Kimmel's late-night show indefinitely on Wednesday following comments he made about the assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk. During his Monday night monologue, Kimmel said, "We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang 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."
Kirk was assassinated at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, last Wednesday afternoon. Police have identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in the slaying, and he is currently being held without bail in the Utah County Jail. Prosecutors filed an aggravated murder charge on Tuesday against Robinson and will seek the death penalty.
The network, which is owned by the Walt Disney Company, made the decision just hours after FCC Chair Brendan Carr criticized Kimmel and hinted the agency might take action against ABC over remarks the host made during his monologue. In an interview with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson, Carr described Kimmel's remarks as "the sickest conduct possible," adding that the FCC could move to revoke ABC affiliate licenses as a punishment.
Nexstar Media Group announced that its ABC-affiliated stations would preempt Kimmel's show "for the foreseeable future," starting with Wednesday's broadcast. The company is currently seeking FCC approval for its proposed $6.2 billion merger with Tegna. Of the roughly 225 ABC affiliate stations nationwide, Nexstar owns about 10%, while Tegna controls around 5%.
"This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead," Carr said. "They have a license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with it an obligation to operate in the public interest."
James Morley III ✉
James Morley III is a writer with more than two decades of experience in entertainment, travel, technology, and science and nature.
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