**Howard Stern Slams ABC for Suspending Jimmy Kimmel’s Show Over Comments on Charlie Kirk’s Alleged Killer**
*Published: September 22, 2025, 3:00 p.m. ET*
Radio legend Howard Stern has publicly criticized ABC for suspending his longtime friend Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show following controversial statements Kimmel made about Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer. Speaking on his SiriusXM show on Monday, September 22, Stern revealed he’s protesting the network’s decision by canceling his Disney+ subscription.
### “ABC Threw Jimmy Off the Air”
During his broadcast, Stern, 71, expressed frustration with ABC’s handling of the situation. “ABC threw Jimmy off the air,” he said. While Stern admitted he was unsure of the network’s exact plans, he speculated that Kimmel might be fired. He also confirmed he had spoken to Kimmel personally but refrained from probing about his professional future.
Disney/ABC suspended *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* “indefinitely” on September 17 after two major affiliate ownership groups announced they would no longer air the show. This followed Kimmel’s on-air claim that the alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, was a MAGA supporter—contradicting official reports suggesting Robinson had been influenced by left-wing ideology.
### “Someone’s Gotta Step Up”
Stern related strongly to Kimmel’s predicament, citing his own history with government interference in media. “I just know when the government begins to interfere, when the government says, ‘I’m not pleased with you, so we’re going to orchestrate a way to silence you,’ it’s the wrong direction for our country,” Stern said.
He went on to emphasize the importance of standing up against such pressure: “And I should know. I’ve been involved in something like this. Now ABC is put in the same position, and it’s unfortunate they even have to be. But someone’s gotta step up and be f—— saying, ‘Enough, we’re not going to bow.’”
Stern, who transitioned from terrestrial radio to satellite in 2006 after multiple clashes with the FCC, is taking a personal stand by canceling his Disney+ subscription. “I’m trying to say with the pocketbook that I do not support what they’re doing with Jimmy,” he stated.
### Comments Spark Affiliate Boycotts
Kimmel’s removal came after Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Inc.—owners of numerous ABC affiliate stations—announced they would no longer broadcast his show. The decision followed Kimmel’s September 15 monologue, where he asserted:
“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.”
In response, Sinclair issued a statement condemning Kimmel’s remarks as “problematic” and confirmed the suspension of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* on its ABC stations across 30 U.S. markets. Sinclair also demanded Kimmel issue a direct apology to the Kirk family and make a meaningful personal donation to both the family and Turning Point USA.
### Possible FCC Involvement
The actions by Nexstar and Sinclair came shortly after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr criticized Kimmel’s comments on a podcast, calling them “the sickest conduct possible.” Carr suggested potential regulatory consequences, warning broadcast licenses are controlled by the government and hinting at further scrutiny.
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr said. “These companies can find ways to change conduct to take action on Kimmel or, you know, there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
### Background: The Charlie Kirk Assassination
Charlie Kirk was assassinated on September 10 at Utah Valley University during a debate as part of his “American Comeback” fall tour. Tyler Robinson was arrested two days later. Allegedly, Robinson had told his transgender partner via text message, “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
The incident and its political ramifications have sparked intense debate and media fallout across the country.
https://radaronline.com/p/howard-stern-calls-out-abc-jimmy-kimmel-suspension-kirk-assassination/
