Overview

• Reporting attributes the suspension decision to Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden, following Nexstar and Sinclair moves to drop the show.
• FCC Chair Brendan Carr publicly warned of potential license repercussions over Kimmel’s remarks, and Sinclair said the show will not return on its stations without an apology and a donation to Charlie Kirk’s family and Turning Point USA.
• House Democratic leaders called for Carr’s resignation and unveiled a bill to bolster protections against government coercion of media, while the WGA and SAG-AFTRA condemned the suspension as a free speech setback.
• President Donald Trump praised ABC’s move and suggested broadcasters that give him negative coverage could lose licenses, a stance that drew additional criticism from free speech advocates and FCC Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez.
• Staffers said they were initially told the pause would last only through the week before learning it was indefinite, and Kimmel’s contract runs until 2026 with no announced return date.