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The show’s suspension came just hours after Carr publicly suggested that Kimmel should be taken off the air.
Carr was elevated to FCC Chairman following Trump’s re-election in 2024 (Reuters)
ABC’s long-running late-night program Jimmy Kimmel Live! was pulled off the air “indefinitely” on Wednesday following host Jimmy Kimmel’s controversial remarks about the late conservative figure Charlie Kirk. The decision came after mounting pressure from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr, who told CNBC that Kimmel had appeared to “mislead” the public regarding key facts about Kirk’s killing in the days leading up to the show’s suspension, reported CNN.
The move has received strong support from President Donald Trump and several members of his administration, who praised the FCC Chair’s response. In contrast, it sparked sharp criticism from prominent Democrats, including former President Barack Obama.
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The show’s suspension came just hours after Carr publicly suggested that Kimmel should be taken off the air. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” he warned, signalling an aggressive stance toward what he described as misinformation.
Who is Brendan Carr?
Brendan Carr is a seasoned FCC official and attorney who began his career at the agency in 2012 as a staffer. He was appointed commissioner by then-President Trump in 2017 and later elevated to FCC Chairman following Trump’s re-election in 2024.
Carr gained national prominence in 2024 after contributing to Project 2025, a conservative policy blueprint in which he authored the chapter on FCC reform. In that document, he criticised major tech and media companies for allegedly censoring right-wing views and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Carr’s public persona, especially on social media, reflects a more combative tone. Shortly after ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he posted a celebratory dancing GIF from The Office. On Thursday morning, he followed up on X, writing, “Glad to see that many broadcasters are responding to their viewers as intended.”
On Wednesday afternoon, Carr was actively amplifying MAGA-aligned frustration over Kimmel’s Monday night monologue. He also directed his criticism toward Disney, ABC’s parent company, stating, “This is a very, very serious issue right now for Disney.”
The controversy escalated further when two major station group owners, Nexstar and Sinclair, publicly condemned Kimmel, following Carr’s remarks going viral on social media.
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
September 19, 2025, 01:14 IST
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