EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been pulled from ABC after backlash over comments Kimmel made during his Monday night monologue about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and local lawmakers are speaking up.
This comes after Nexstar Media Group, the parent company of this news station and which owns more than 200 local television stations nationwide, announced its ABC affiliates would pre-empt Kimmel’s show indefinitely over his comments.
The remarks were called “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse.”
The company’s broadcasting division president, Andrew Alford, said continuing to give Kimmel a platform was not in the public interest.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions. One student told KTSM the following:
“I thought it was the stupidest thing… this country prides itself on freedom of speech, and I don’t even think he necessarily said anything bad,” the student said. “I think we really need to come together as a world to make it a better place. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s a really scary time right now.”
Others online applauded Nexstar’s move, calling it “long overdue.”
Lawmakers are also weighing in:
Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, said in part, “The unprecedented use of the power of the federal government to silence anyone President Donald Trump disagrees with or dislikes should alarm every American… This attack on free speech is anti-American, a violation of our constitution, and another example of the chilling and shocking rise of authoritarianism in America.”
Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, posted on “X” that he is sponsoring House Speaker Mike Johnson’s resolution to honor Charlie Kirk. “Today, the House will vote on this bill. This weekend Charlie will be laid to rest. While his soul is no longer with us, his faith-guided mission will carry on,” Gonzales wrote.
Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-New Mexico, said, “Free speech is protected by our constitution. Attacks on free speech threaten all of us, including you.”
As of Thursday, Kimmel has not publicly commented on the decision.
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