Local ABC affiliate WJLA Channel 7 will air a one-hour tribute to Charlie Kirk during what would ordinarily be Jimmy Kimmel's late night time slot in the Washington, D.C. market this Friday night, September 19, 2025. ABC 7 is owned by Maryland-based Sinclair Broadcast Group, which along with rival broadcast firm Nexstar Media Group, successfully pressured the Disney-owned ABC network to suspend Kimmel indefinitely yesterday. Kimmel was suspended for making false statements about the assassination of Kirk, who was fatally shot during a Turning Point USA college event in Utah last week.
Kimmel has long been a pugnacious and vitriolic critic of President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement, devoting many minutes of his program to attacks on both nightly. But he has never faced any serious consequences until now, and parent company Disney seemed quite content with Kimmel's shift from a late night comedy show to a hardcore political broadcast that trashed half of his potential viewing audience. What changed?
Nexstar hopes to successfully pull off a merger with Tysons-based Tegna, which would bring more local TV stations into its nationwide portfolio, including local CBS affiliate WUSA 9. Disney and Sinclair may also have potential tie-ups down the road, which would similarly need the approval of a Trump or future GOP administration. As a result, this time they had to show some action on Kimmel's controversial remarks.
Whether Kimmel will actually be canceled by ABC remains to be seen, but his return would certainly risk the ire of Trump. Disney will have to decide if defending the declining career of Kimmel would be worth potentially-major financial consequences for the entertainment giant in the future. Kimmel's ratings have plunged 11% as of the last reporting period, dropping him to third place in his time slot.
The ABC 7 Kirk tribute will be only one of the local events remembering the slain TPUSA founder this weekend. A candlelight prayer vigil for Kirk in Montgomery County is set for this Saturday night in Rockville.
Photo courtesy Salem Media Group
43 comments:
The killing of Charlie Kirk is regrettable -- as is the wrongful killing of any person. However, Charlie Kirk should neither be canonized nor become the next Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Free speech is free speech -- equally for Jimmy Kimmel and the MAGA minority (albeit a pushy and vocal minority, a minority of the country nevertheless). Government has no business in determining which speech is preferred. It is the F.C.C., Sinclair and Nexstar which should apologize -- to Kimmel and ALL AMERICANS, and Jimmy Kimmel Live should be immediately reinstated to regular broadcasting. Capitulating to a wannabe dicktator is not a principle of democracy.
Saturday night in Rockville, be there it will be WILD!
RIP Charlie.
8:38 Completely fails to understand the difference. Kimmel is free to say anything he wishes and his employer is also free to employ who they wish. If Kimmel were imprisoned for the lies that he stated, then you would have a 1st Amendment violation. Kirk was murdered by a weak minded person influenced by leftists comparing anyone who disagrees with them to an authoritarian. Try using the dictionary to look up terms you guys throw around with abandon because you use the words but have absolutely no idea what they mean.
Glad to see ABC airing this tribute. No one cares that much about Kimmel. President Trump is right again when he says that Kimmel was fired because his ratings were terrible. Media companies are souless and only care about one thing, money. If Kimmel had huge ratings and was making Disney ABC a lot of money, we wouldn't be talking about this. This was the excuse they needed and they ceased upon it. Simple. I want to see local cameras at the vigil in Rockville and the ususally always on Zoom Elrich interviewed.
8:38AM Very well said ~ spot on! You are 100% correct on all points, thank you for posting.
The pulling/suspension of Kimmel's show by ABC/Disney stemmed largely if not wholly from threats from Trump's FCC Chair, Brendan Carr. All sides should be outraged by and push back against this type of government intrusion and overreach. We're supposed to have a 1st amendment that guarantees free speech, whether we like, hate, agree with, or condemn that speech.
From Fox News: "FCC chair levels threat against ABC, Disney after Kimmel suggested Charlie Kirk assassin was 'MAGA'/
Brendan Carr floats regulatory action against the Disney-owned network"
https://www.foxnews.com/media/fcc-chair-levels-threat-against-abc-disney-after-kimmel-suggested-charlie-kirk-assassin-maga
The Trump administration doesn't believe in the 1st amendment and is doing everything it can to squash free speech. Period.
Be careful what you wish for.
Fox News lies so often that they have been reclassified as entertainment, but you never saw any Fox station operators attempt to take action for all of the nonsense peddled on there.
I wonder where 8:38 was when people like Dave Chappell was canceled, Joe Rogan was deplatformed from Spotify, Tucker Carlson fired from Fox, Megan Kelly fired from NBC and so many more examples. Kimmel is the hill you want to die on?
It's going to be a blast when the Democrats return to power and its their turn to play these stupid games. Don't want to hear a peep from you obnoxious hypocrites who whine about weaponization of the government. There is literally nothing easier than following the dictators playbook to eliminate critical voices...its the sign of a pathetic and shallow government that can't stand any dissent from (checking notes) a late night comedian. So soft. Weaponizing the full wait of the government to stifle people you disagree with is both un-American and shameful. I'd expect nothing else from a knuckle-dragging government in place right now...But...much like the seasons, things change. I'm sure you old coots who frequent this site will complain endlessly when it does. Save it...the Democrats are unshackled to act as petty and tawdry as Republicans. Don't worry, they will...and it will be hysterical watching all of you and Fox News clutch your pearls. Never seen a softer bunch than these Republicans. Literally softer than tissue paper.
Email mcdiehlmann@sbgtv.com to tell them what you think of them. I did, the cowards.
1:08's comments didn't age well but that's what happens when all of your information comes from progressive media.
3:14 talks about retribution like they haven't been doing an order of magnitude worse since Trump 1. TDS has completely wrecked the logic that even grade school kids have. Frankly enjoying liberals on the wrong side of almost every 80/20 issue.
@12:57 relax and get back on your meds. You're obviously fine with everything done during Brandon's time in office when the people you disagree with were booted. Pro-Tip: Google is your friend when searching for who was kicked off their platforms and cherry-picking results only reinforces your ignorance and apathy.
12:57 - Wrong. Clearly you know nothing. The FCC is the regulatory agency that oversees the public airwaves. That's the left's response to everything, Trump did it. It's Trump's fault. This is about business. And you know what else? ABC Disney is trying to buy the NFL Network. They cannot do that without the backing of the Trump people. Blame. Bob Roger if anyone. Kimmel won't apologize. He's done.
@9:35 - I have a complete understanding of every word I wrote. If you are mentally challenged by the meaning and completely of my comment consult your teachers about how all of you failed. It's not necessary to be imprisoned (locked up) for having your first amendment violated, simply denying the right to exercise it suffices. Learning?
Oh what exactly didn't age well?
Did the federal government push for any of these to happen? I don't think so. Tucker Carlson was fired from Fox because he cost them millions in lawsuits
"TDS" is such a lame cop out - try to discuss your opinions like an adult instead of using elementary school insults.
CK was a brilliant, thoughtful, and dedicated person. We are ALL poorer for his passing.
3:14: The “full wait of the government”? Are you complaining about the lines at the DMV? You are a fool and you are embarrassing yourself.
So none of this happened when Biden was in office? It was news blackout at you house because the MSM only covered what helps liberals sleep at night. Notice how things get done, like the border, inflation, crime, when adults are in charge? Ask yor parents to let you out of the basement occasionally to play outside.
Luckily everyday thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of once obtuse libs are realizing they've been duped. We know there jyst isnt enough room for all the selfish anti-American groups in that rundown shell formerly known as "Democrats," We have room for you in our house, just don't bring your nasty baggage with you!
Robert, you only touched on what heroes the peeps at Sinclair Broadcasting are, kudos to them all!! While we're at it, maybe they can get "The National Desk,' with Jan Jeffcoat et. al. back on our local digital broadcast. It's rather suspicious how they were removed during Biden's Residency.
6:08 Couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat. Kimmel"s ratings have been on a downward spiral for over the past 10 years with Gutfeld more than double the audience. I realize the left is upset that Trump has cut off most of the government grift to liberal NGO's so the time and frustration spent screaming on X, blogs and other platforms like bluesky with their 120 views per day dreaming of retribution. Go outside or get a job, be productive or at least take a mental health break because your going to need it. Trump is your president for the next 3+ years.
You can throw out all the vague unrelated things you want, but you didn't answer my question.
@703 if the shoe fits...
@3:14 Repost from your "trusted media":
https://x.com/JasonKrypto1/status/1969016213905735775
Yeah, cancel culture is only good when liberals do it.
Oh look! #heelsupharris as VP called for Trump to be banned from Twitter:
https://x.com/libsoftiktok/status/1969043354546540720
Do you guys even remember what you had for lunch yesterday? Hint: the internet is forever ,-)
@7:25 obtuse. Seek help
8:38 agree. A company can make that decision. When the Federal government coerces the decision there is a problem.
Sen Ted Cruz on the FCC action:
GOP Sen. Ted Cruz on Friday denounced Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr’s threats to pull ABC’s broadcast license as “unbelievably dangerous” and compared some of his rhetoric to “mafioso” tactics.
Liberals are totally OK with it when the shoe is on the other foot. You made the bed, lie in it. Seriously, get over yourself
Again, insulting me but still not answering my question. You've got nothing
Trump got banned from Twitter after pressure from the Biden administration to police "disinformation" which under democrats is anything they disagree with. This is one of many canceled under direct pressure from the Biden WH, (not that he knew anything that was going on because you guys lied about that as well). So it's only when liberals are in charge that it's justified. How do you guys sleep at night?
SPOT ON! When it's convenient you MAGs love to throw away the rules.
Yeah because twitter is the same thing as someone's job. Got it!
That also was not why he was banned from Twitter. It was because he incited violence on the platform which lead to the capitol break-in, a gallow to hang the vice president erected on the national mall, and multiple deaths. Shockingly all of this is against Twitter's rules.
253 is incredibly obtuse and like a child, needs an explanation which I just can't waste time on but to say that the disinformation campaign from the Biden administration was the strong arm to all media. If you had an ounce of credibility, you could admit that and use the search function for numerous examples. Unfortunately it's the kind of answers we expect from liberals.
@6:08 Just catching up on this thread. You say you understand all the words you use but as your PA senator Fetterman said that his party, (naming leftist trolls like you), are the ones who don't understand the language like 9:35 points out. He is one of small minority on the left that actually gets it and gives Trump credit for the things he's done.
You are completely emotionally wrecked with TDS which frankly I'm totally here for. You do know that Trump is your president until JD Vance wipes the floor with your next "pick". We're not laughing with you, We're laughing at you.
And just in, violent leftist shooting into an ABC affiliate in CA and another "peaceful" Gaza protester in NH shooting up a country club. It's definitely not both sides because if gun-toting conservatives were a problem, you would know about it.
5:05 - great post
They are and it's been made a point of many times and you all just choose to ignore it
Again you have no argument except for insults and lies.
522 must think liberals identify as Republicans as soon as they go on a shooting spree. You guys are complete clowns, (if you weren't so violent). Even Erika Kirk forgave the leftist shooter, something the left never does. Don't go away mad, just go away.
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