Late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel delivered a scathing attack on Vice President JD Vance during his Tuesday night monologue, challenging claims the vice president made while guest-hosting Charlie Kirk’s podcast following the conservative activist’s assassination last week.
Vance appeared on Kirk’s show after the 31-year-old political commentator was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025. During the broadcast, Vance claimed that most political extremists in America belong to the far left, a statement that drew immediate pushback from Kimmel.
The ABC host dismissed Vance’s assertion as “complete bs,” pointing to Justice Department findings that identify far-right groups as the primary source of domestic terrorism and extremist violence in the United States. Kimmel noted that this official report had recently disappeared from the department’s website.
Kimmel posed a direct challenge to the vice president’s narrative, asking who wanted to harm former Vice President Mike Pence during the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. He questioned whether it was liberal leftists or Trump supporters who stormed the building that day.
The confrontation comes amid broader tensions surrounding late-night television’s coverage of political events. ABC announced on Wednesday, September 18, that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” would be suspended indefinitely following complaints from the Trump administration and affiliate broadcasters about comments Kimmel made regarding Kirk’s death.
On Monday’s broadcast, Kimmel had criticized what he described as attempts by Trump supporters to distance themselves from Kirk’s alleged killer. Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr subsequently called Kimmel’s remarks offensive and suggested the agency could penalize broadcasters airing the program.
Nexstar Media Group, the country’s largest provider of local news, announced it would pull Kimmel’s show from its ABC affiliates. Company officials indicated that Kimmel’s comments were inappropriate during a sensitive period in national political discourse and did not reflect community values in their markets.
The suspension has drawn support from President Trump, who celebrated the decision on his Truth Social platform. Trump called the cancellation great news for America and suggested that NBC should similarly remove Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers from the air.
Video footage captured Kimmel leaving his Hollywood studio on Wednesday evening wearing civilian clothes and a baseball cap, carrying a backpack as he was guided to a vehicle. Workers were seen removing equipment from the studio as protesters gathered outside holding signs calling for Trump’s removal from office.
Comedian Wanda Sykes, who was scheduled to appear as Kimmel’s guest Wednesday night, recorded a video message after her appearance was canceled. Sykes noted that Trump had not resolved major international conflicts in his first week but had managed to impact freedom of speech within his first year in office.
The controversy has split media personalities along political lines. Fox News host Bill O’Reilly, despite past disagreements with Kimmel, expressed sadness over the suspension. O’Reilly acknowledged Kimmel as a dedicated father and said he did not celebrate the show’s cancellation, though he criticized the comedian’s recent comments as irresponsible.
Conversely, Sean Hannity faced criticism for defending the suspension, with media observers describing his position as an unrealistic spin on what many view as censorship. Several entertainment industry figures, including Ben Stiller, Sophia Bush, and Don Lemon, have expressed concern about the implications for free speech.
ABC has replaced Kimmel’s time slot with reruns of “Celebrity Family Feud” hosted by Steve Harvey. The network sent memos to more than 150 affiliate stations informing them of the programming change, with formal guidance expected from Disney headquarters.
Sinclair Broadcasting, the nation’s largest ABC affiliate group, announced it would air a special tribute to Kirk on Friday and called for Kimmel to issue a direct apology to the Kirk family and make a personal donation to Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk co-founded in 2012.
Media analysts suggest the suspension could have broader implications for late-night television programming. Los Angeles Times commentator Stephen Battaglio warned that Disney executives might regret their decision if other celebrities refuse to appear on ABC programs in solidarity with Kimmel.
The situation represents an escalation in tensions between the Trump administration and mainstream media outlets, with critics arguing that government pressure on broadcasters threatens First Amendment protections for satirical commentary and political criticism.