What Did Jimmy Kimmel Say About Charlie Kirk – Quotes, Suspension, Timeline
ABC indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 18, 2025, following a monologue delivered the previous day in which the host mocked Donald Trump’s response to the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The incident sparked immediate backlash from conservative voices, broadcast affiliates, and federal regulators, raising questions about political speech, grief, and accountability in late-night television.
Kimmel opened his September 17 monologue by criticizing supporters who he said were attempting to minimize the political implications of Kirk’s killing. He then pivoted to ridiculing Trump’s remarks during an interview about the murder, where the former president redirected condolences toward a discussion about White House construction. The segment drew swift condemnation and pressure on ABC’s parent company Disney to act.
The suspension marked a rare moment of corporate discipline against a high-profile network host and reignited debates about political bias, free expression, and the role of comedy in processing national tragedies.
What Did Jimmy Kimmel Say About Charlie Kirk?
During his September 17 monologue, Kimmel directed sharp criticism at both political supporters and the former president. Speaking to the audience, he described the weekend’s events as a new low in political rhetoric.
“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.”
Kimmel then targeted Trump’s response to expressions of condolence from an interviewer. While the exact wording of Trump’s original exchange varies across reports, Kimmel’s characterization drew particular attention.
“My condolences on the loss of your friend Charlie Kirk… He’s at the fourth stage of grief, construction. Demolition. Construction. This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
The host also referenced an earlier moment, during a meeting with an architect, when Trump allegedly responded to news of Kirk’s death with a discussion of renovations.
“They said, ‘Charlie Kirk is dead.’ I didn’t know what they meant… And then we installed the most beautiful chandelier.”
Sources indicate Kimmel did call the murder “monstrous” during the segment. However, his mockery of how others processed grief became the focal point of criticism. A New York Post video compilation documents the controversial moments with timestamps and context on the fallout.
Key Points from the Monologue
- Condemned the killing while criticizing supporters’ response
- Mocked Trump for pivoting to construction during expressions of sympathy
- Suggested Trump’s grief behavior resembled a child’s reaction
- Referenced a White House architect meeting where Kirk’s death was mentioned
Factual Summary
| Element | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Charlie Kirk Status | Assassinated over the weekend before September 17, 2025 | Multiple reports |
| Kimmel’s Stance | Called murder “monstrous”; mocked grief response | New York Post compilation |
| Suspension Date | Announced September 18, 2025 | ABC network |
| Show Status | Indefinitely suspended pending review | ABC/Disney statement |
| Trump’s Connection | Called Kirk a “friend”; scheduled to speak at memorial | News reports |
| Affiliates Affected | Nextstar (23 ABC affiliates) stopped airing program | Broadcast reports |
Why Was Jimmy Kimmel Suspended for His Charlie Kirk Comments?
The backlash came swiftly from multiple directions. FCC Chair Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, publicly condemned Kimmel’s remarks in an interview with conservative commentator Benny Johnson. Carr urged ABC affiliates to preempt the show and called for structural changes to prevent similar content.
Nextstar Communications, which operates 23 ABC-affiliated stations, removed the program from its broadcast lineup. Sinclair Broadcasting went further, demanding that Kimmel formally apologize to Kirk’s family, donate to Turning Point USA (the organization Kirk founded), and engage with ABC management on “professionalism” standards.
ABC’s parent company Disney ultimately complied with the suspension, pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the schedule indefinitely. The network has not specified a return date.
Points of Contention
The incident sparked competing interpretations. Critics of the suspension argued the move represented government censorship, noting that Kimmel did explicitly denounce the murder while suggesting his commentary focused on perceived political hypocrisy rather than the tragedy itself.
Others contended that Kimmel’s mockery of how a public figure processed grief crossed a line, particularly given the circumstances surrounding a political commentator’s assassination. Trump’s supporters defended his redirecting of conversation as a coping mechanism rather than indifference.
Regulatory and Broadcast Response
The involvement of the FCC marked an escalation beyond typical viewer complaints. Carr’s direct pressure on affiliates represented an unusual intervention in programming decisions. Read The Full Transcript from Read TPA documents portions of the monologue for those seeking the full context.
Background: Charlie Kirk’s Death and Public Response
Charlie Kirk was the founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative organization focused on youth engagement and activism. His death was described in multiple reports as a “savage public assassination” and “murder.”
The exact circumstances of the shooting, including the identity of the attacker and specific motive, remain unclear from available sources. Kimmel referred to the perpetrator as “this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk,” but detailed background on the shooter has not been widely reported in the sources reviewed.
Trump’s Connection to Kirk
Trump described Kirk as a “friend” and was scheduled to speak at his memorial service, which took place around September 17 or 18, 2025. The former president’s comments during the memorial drew attention due to their focus on administration activities rather than biographical reflection on Kirk’s life and legacy.
Public Grief and Political Reactions
The incident unfolded amid heightened political tensions. Reactions from conservative figures ranged from expressions of grief to calls for accountability against those seen as politicizing the killing. Liberal voices noted that Kimmel did condemn the murder, though the framing of his commentary generated separate concerns.
The widow of Charlie Kirk, mentioned in coverage but without extensive detail available in current sources, presumably experienced significant public attention given her husband’s prominence. Most Viewed YouTube Video platforms have featured extensive coverage of the unfolding controversy.
Timeline of Events
The sequence of events moved quickly following the killing. Below is a chronological summary based on available reporting.
- Weekend before September 17, 2025: Charlie Kirk assassinated; exact date unspecified in published sources
- September 17, 2025: Jimmy Kimmel delivers monologue criticizing response to Kirk’s death; Trump speaks at memorial
- September 18, 2025: FCC Chair Carr condemns remarks; affiliates begin preempting show; ABC announces indefinite suspension
- Following days: Sinclair demands formal apology; debate over censorship intensifies; Disney confirms compliance with suspension
Further developments may emerge as the situation continues to unfold. James Martin’s Saturday Morning coverage has tracked similar media controversies in recent months.
What We Know vs. What Remains Unclear
This incident involves both well-documented elements and gaps in available information.
| Established Information | Unclear or Unavailable Details |
|---|---|
| Kimmel delivered critical monologue on September 17 | Complete, verbatim transcript of entire monologue |
| ABC suspended show indefinitely on September 18 | Specific criteria for reinstatement |
| Trump called Kirk a “friend” and attended memorial | Exact shooting circumstances and shooter identity |
| FCC chair and major broadcasters expressed opposition | Whether ABC internal review is ongoing |
| Kimmel called murder “monstrous” | Details on Kirk family statements or preferences |
| Sinclair demanded apology and donation to TPUSA | Whether Kimmel or ABC complied with Sinclair demands |
Context and Analysis
The incident reflects broader tensions in American political media. Late-night comedy has long served as a vehicle for political commentary, with hosts like Kimmel blending entertainment with opinion. However, the assassination of a political figure creates distinct challenges for satirical treatment.
Kimmel’s framing attempted to separate the act itself from his criticism of political responses. Critics argued this distinction failed to account for the sensitivity warranted by a violent death. Supporters of the host pointed to his explicit condemnation of the murder as evidence that his comments targeted rhetoric rather than grief itself.
The regulatory involvement marked a notable development. FCC intervention in specific programming decisions remains rare, and Carr’s direct engagement with affiliates represented an escalation of the usual stakeholder feedback process. Whether this signals a broader shift in regulatory approach to broadcast content remains to be seen.
Key Quotes and Sources
“This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
— Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, September 17, 2025
“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.”
— Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, September 17, 2025
Primary sources for this report include the New York Post video compilation, statements from broadcast networks, and reporting from major news outlets covering the incident.
Summary
Jimmy Kimmel’s September 17, 2025 monologue led to his show’s indefinite suspension the following day after he mocked Donald Trump’s response to Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The host condemned the murder while criticizing how others processed the tragedy, drawing fire from conservative voices, broadcast affiliates, and federal regulators. ABC parent Disney complied with the suspension, and the incident sparked wider debate over political speech, grief, and accountability in broadcast media. The timeline from killing to suspension spanned approximately 48 hours, with ongoing uncertainty surrounding details of the shooting and Kimmel’s path to reinstatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly did Jimmy Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk?
Kimmel called the murder “monstrous” while mocking Trump’s grief response and criticizing supporters for how they characterized the killing. Key excerpts include his comparison of Trump’s behavior to a child mourning a goldfish.
When was Jimmy Kimmel suspended?
ABC announced the indefinite suspension on September 18, 2025, one day after the monologue aired on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Why did affiliates stop airing the show?
Nextstar Communications, operating 23 ABC affiliates, removed the program. Sinclair Broadcasting demanded an apology and donation to Turning Point USA. FCC Chair Brendan Carr also urged affiliates to preempt coverage.
Was Charlie Kirk actually killed?
Yes. Multiple sources confirm that conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was assassinated over the weekend prior to September 17, 2025.
What was Trump’s connection to Charlie Kirk?
Trump called Kirk a “friend” and was scheduled to speak at his memorial service. Kimmel mocked Trump’s remarks during the memorial for their focus on administration matters.
Is there a full video of Kimmel’s monologue?
A 3:43-minute compilation from the New York Post documents the controversial segments with timestamps. Official ABC broadcast footage has not been made publicly available.
What happened to Jimmy Kimmel’s show?
ABC indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! pending review. Disney confirmed compliance with the suspension. No return date has been announced.
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