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The clip that prompted Jimmy Kimmel’s 2025 preemption was from his September 15 opening monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live! He was discussing reactions to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, criticizing attempts to portray the suspected killer as outside the MAGA movement and to score political points. The show later returned, though some station groups continued to preempt it.
What Kimmel said in the clip
In the September 15, 2025 monologue, Kimmel accused the “MAGA gang” of trying to characterize the suspected killer as “anything other than one of them” and of scoring political points from Kirk’s killing. CBS News reproduced that line in its account of the controversy: CBS News’ report on Kimmel’s monologue and return remarks.
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It was a sequence of comments in a monologue, not one isolated joke. Kimmel later said he did not intend to make light of Kirk’s killing or blame a specific group for the suspected gunman’s actions. He acknowledged that some viewers found his remarks ill-timed or unclear; that explanation of his intent was not a retraction of the full monologue.
Why the show was pulled—and who made each decision
The events unfolded over several days, with network and local station decisions that should not be treated as one action.
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- Like new. The morror protective film is still in place. Dust jacket intact. First Edition.
- September 17: FCC Chair Brendan Carr said on Benny Johnson’s podcast that suspension was possible and that the FCC had remedies it could consider. CBS reported his phrase, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” Nexstar then announced it would preempt the program, and ABC announced an indefinite preemption. ABC News’ report on the initial preemption.
- September 22: Disney said it had suspended production to avoid further inflaming a tense situation and because it considered some comments ill-timed and insensitive. After conversations with Kimmel, it decided to return the show. ABC News’ report on Disney’s return decision.
- September 23: Kimmel returned to air. Nexstar said its ABC-affiliated stations would continue preempting the show, and ABC reported that Sinclair also planned to preempt it. Those were station-group carriage decisions, distinct from Disney’s decision to resume the program. ABC News’ report on the return and affiliate positions.
What is—and is not—established about regulatory pressure
Carr’s public remarks came before the announced preemptions. Nexstar’s spokesperson told CBS that senior executives made the decision unilaterally and that the company had no communication with the FCC or another government agency before deciding. Nexstar later said it stood by its preemption pending assurance of respectful, constructive dialogue in its markets. CBS News’ account of Carr’s remarks and Nexstar’s response and Nexstar’s statement.
Senators Chris Van Hollen, Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden and Ed Markey subsequently asked Nexstar and Sinclair for information about their decisions and pending regulatory matters. Their release documents the lawmakers’ questions and allegations; it does not establish that a regulatory favor or quid pro quo caused the preemptions. The senators’ request for information.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did ABC bring Kimmel back?
Yes. Disney announced the return on September 22, and Kimmel was back on September 23. But a network return did not mean every ABC-affiliated station resumed carrying the show: Nexstar and Sinclair said their stations would continue preempting it at that time. ABC reported that full episodes were then available the next day on Hulu and Disney+, with clips on the show’s YouTube page; availability can change.
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