ABC has suspended the late-night show of Jimmy Kimmel after the chair of the Federal Communications Commission threatened to take action against ABC for comments Kimmel made about the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The backlash followed Kimmel’s opening monologue on Monday night.

Jimmy Kimmel: “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.”

The abrupt decision to “indefinitely” pull “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” reportedly came from Robert Iger, chief executive of ABC’s parent company, The Walt Disney Company, and Disney Entertainment Co-Chair Dana Walden. It followed these remarks by FCC Chair Brendan Carr to podcaster Benny Johnson.

Brendan Carr: “You know, when you look at the conduct that has taken place by Jimmy Kimmel, it appears to be some of the sickest conduct possible. … I mean, look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or, you know, there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

Carr’s comment contrasts with a tweet he wrote in 2022 reading, “Political satire is one of the oldest and most important forms of free speech. It challenges those in power while using humor to draw more people in to the discussion. That’s why people in influential positions have always targeted it for censorship.” In 2023, he wrote, “Free speech is the counterweight. It is the check on government control. That is why censorship is the authoritarian’s dream.”

Kimmel’s removal comes amid a $6.2 billion merger between Nexstar — one of the biggest owners of ABC affiliates — and Tegna, which requires FCC approval. In a statement, the president of Nexstar called Kimmel’s jokes “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse.”

The largest of ABC’s affiliate groups, the Sinclair Broadcast Group, said it would suspend “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” until formal discussions are held with ABC about “professionalism and accountability.” Sinclair also demanded Kimmel make a direct apology to Charlie Kirk’s family and for him to personally donate money to Kirk’s conservative youth organization, Turning Point USA.

This comes after CBS announced it was canceling “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” amid a corporate merger between Paramount and Skydance Media.

President Trump welcomed Kimmel’s suspension, writing on social media, “The ratings-challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.” He also attacked other late-night hosts, saying Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers should also be canceled.