Overview
- On his Club Random podcast, Maher said Kimmel "thanked everybody but me" despite Maher publicly defending him during ABC’s suspension.
- Maher acknowledged Kimmel’s claim about Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer was wrong but argued the host should not lose his job over the mistake.
- He criticized network late-night shows as ideologically captured, saying that approach alienates about half the country.
- ABC suspended Kimmel on Sept. 17 after his Sept. 15 monologue implied Tyler Robinson was a MAGA supporter, which reporting and the next day’s indictment contradicted by describing left-wing beliefs.
- The controversy drew pushback from major affiliates and comments from FCC leadership; Kimmel returned Sept. 23 to a brief ratings surge that fell sharply within days.