ABC affiliates across the country will replace Jimmy Kimmel’s cancelled late-night show on Friday with a tribute to Charlie Kirk.
The move comes after the liberal host sparked outrage with controversial remarks about the conservative activist’s assassination.
The backlash led to Kimmel’s show finally being axed by ABC.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, which operates 30 ABC affiliates, announced Wednesday it would air a special “in remembrance of Charlie Kirk.”
The announcement came shortly after Disney pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” indefinitely.
The move follows Nexstar Media Group, another major owner of ABC affiliates, which also pre-empted Kimmel’s program earlier in the day.
“Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” Sinclair Vice Chairman Jason Smith said in a statement.
The broadcaster, often targeted by left-leaning outlets for airing conservative content, said Kimmel’s suspension will remain in place “until formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability.”
“Sinclair also calls upon Mr. Kimmel to issue a direct apology to the Kirk family,” the company added.
“Furthermore, we ask Mr. Kimmel to make a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk family and Turning Point USA.
“Regardless of ABC’s plans for the future of the program, Sinclair intends not to return Jimmy Kimmel Live! to our air until we are confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform.”
Nexstar echoed those concerns, with broadcasting chief Andrew Alford blasting Kimmel’s comments.
“Mr. Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse,” Alford said.
“Continuing to give Mr. Kimmel a broadcast platform in the communities we serve is simply not in the public interest at the current time.”
Kimmel sparked outrage Monday when he accused conservatives of “desperately trying to characterize” Charlie Kirk’s killer, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, as left-wing.
He made the deceitful comments despite prosecutors confirming Robinson, a leftist, was politically motivated in Tuesday’s indictment.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said.
The late-night host’s defenders argued his remarks were taken out of context.
The Hollywood Reporter claimed that he planned to address the backlash on Wednesday night’s show.
Disney, however, intervened first and yanked the program.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr also weighed in.
Carr issued a warning to Disney to take action.
He later welcomed the network’s decision.
President Donald Trump celebrated the suspension, calling it “great news for America.”
Many conservatives agreed, though some questioned whether the decision reflected government pressure.
Meanwhile, Democrats like Rep. Daniel Goldman (D-NY) blasted the move, accusing the Trump administration and the FCC of overreach.
“I’m not sure who deserves more disdain and disgust: Trump and the FCC for their blatant violation of the Constitution, or Disney and Nexstar for sacrificing their values and folding to a wannabe Mob Boss and his authoritarian goons,” Goldman wrote on X.
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