“Fire Jimmy Kimmel”: FCC Threatens ABC Over Late-Night Host

ABC and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel are facing intense federal scrutiny — and possible termination — after the comedian accused Trump supporters of being behind the shocking assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr didn’t mince words this week, threatening “immediate action” against ABC and its parent company, Disney, for what he called a “malicious political smear” broadcast to millions of Americans.

“Networks are expected to operate in the public interest — not as propaganda arms for the radical left,” Carr said Wednesday on The Benny Johnson Show. “We’re exploring every available remedy. Suspension, fines, even license revocation are on the table.”

The firestorm began after Kimmel used his primetime platform to suggest that the suspected assassin, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was a member of the MAGA movement — despite no evidence linking the shooter to any political group.

“We hit some new lows with the MAGA gang trying to pretend this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk wasn’t one of them,” Kimmel said on Jimmy Kimmel Live, sparking outrage online and across the political spectrum.

But FCC officials say Kimmel’s claims were not only “baseless” but “potentially disqualifying” under federal broadcast regulations.

“This wasn’t satire. This was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and sow division,” Carr added. “If ABC doesn’t clean house, the government might have to.”

At the heart of the controversy is ABC’s broadcasting license — which is subject to FCC approval under federal law. Carr reminded the public that “free speech does not mean freedom from consequences,” especially on public airwaves.

“These licenses aren’t permanent,” he said. “They’re conditional — and if a network abuses that privilege to spew lies, there will be consequences.”

The FCC’s internal review could trigger a formal enforcement action against both ABC and local affiliate stations airing Kimmel’s content.

Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and a close ally of President Trump, was fatally shot earlier this month during a Q&A event in Utah. The murder shocked the nation and galvanized conservatives who see the killing as a political assassination.

Tyler Robinson has since been charged with aggravated murder and is facing the death penalty. Prosecutors described the 22-year-old as “emotionless” and “remorseless” during his first court appearance.

The backlash against Kimmel is growing by the hour. Calls to #FireKimmel are trending across social media platforms, with Republican lawmakers and conservative influencers demanding swift justice.

“If a conservative had said this about a liberal figure, they’d be off the air in 24 hours,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) posted on X. “Why is Jimmy Kimmel still employed?”

Others have suggested Disney’s woke culture may be the reason for the delay.

“This is the same company that pushed drag shows for kids but won’t hold a man accountable for lying about a conservative’s murder,” tweeted podcast host Candace Owens. “They don’t care about facts. They care about agenda.”

According to FCC guidelines, networks can be penalized for “false or misleading public broadcast statements,” especially those deemed harmful or inciting public distrust. In extreme cases, the FCC can revoke licenses — a move not seen in decades, but now back on the table.

Carr closed his appearance with a final warning:

“These companies can take the easy path and fix the issue. Or we’ll take the hard path. Either way, we will not tolerate this behavior.”

Under President Trump’s second term, the FCC has ramped up scrutiny of legacy media, especially after a series of controversial broadcasts from CNN, MSNBC, and ABC News. Trump has publicly praised Carr’s leadership and encouraged the agency to “crack down on corporate liars.”

As the case against Kimmel and ABC unfolds, many see this as a turning point in how broadcast media is held accountable in the post-2024 Trump America.