The late-night television landscape is reeling as ABC indefinitely suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on September 17, 2025, following Kimmel’s controversial remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The move follows the earlier cancellations of Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show” and Howard Stern’s SiriusXM program, both tied to polarizing comments about Kirk’s death on September 10 at Utah Valley University. Now, conservative voices are targeting ABC’s “The View” for similar scrutiny, arguing its hosts’ political commentary crosses ethical lines.
Kimmel’s suspension came after his September 15 monologue, where he accused the “MAGA gang” of exploiting Kirk’s death for political gain, prompting FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to threaten affiliate license revocations. Nexstar and Sinclair, owning dozens of ABC stations, preempted the show, citing insensitivity. Colbert’s show was pulled after he called Kirk’s rhetoric a “dog whistle for violence,” while Stern’s exit followed his dismissal of the tragedy as “no big loss.” These cancellations have fueled accusations of a conservative-led purge of liberal media voices, with Rosie O’Donnell decrying the trend as “America is no more.”
Calls to cancel “The View” intensified after co-host Whoopi Goldberg’s remarks questioning Kirk’s legacy, which critics labeled as justifying violence. Carr hinted on September 18 that the FCC might investigate the show’s “bona fide news” status, potentially stripping its regulatory exemptions. Democrats, including Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, slammed the moves as censorship, while conservatives argue the shows promote division.
The rapid fall of three major liberal voices has sparked fears of a chilling effect on media, with “The View” now in the crosshairs. As Kirk’s funeral looms, the battle over free speech versus accountability is reshaping broadcast television.
