"Go after anybody opposing them": Protest swells outside Jimmy Kimmel's studio after ABC suspends late-night show

Hollywood Boulevard has turned into a protest ground after ABC abruptly suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! in the wake of backlash to the host's comments on the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.

Entertainment Weekly reports that on Wednesday evening, a small group gathered outside the El Capitan Entertainment Centre, where Kimmel records his show. They carried signs and chanted at what they described as a silencing of a late-night show host.

ABC's decision had created waves through the industry. Strong statements have been issued to support Kimmel by unions, celebrities, and fans. The network's announcement that the show was being taken off air "indefinitely" followed hours after Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group said their ABC affiliates would stop airing the program.

One protester outside Kimmel's studio told local outlet NBCLA:

"Jimmy Kimmel did nothing but point out some of the hypocrisies of these fascists, and for this, he is being canceled and he is being threatened."

The speaker also added that Kimmel's critics wanted to "go after anybody that is opposing them."

Why was Jimmy Kimmel suspended by ABC?

Charlie Kirk was a close ally of President Donald Trump. The influencer was shot and killed on September 10, 2025, during a speech at Utah Valley University. The suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, is awaiting trial.

Jimmy Kimmel addressed the incident in his Monday night monologue. He suggested that MAGA supporters were trying to frame the suspect as anything other than aligned with them, stating:

"We had 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."

He also mocked Trump's response to the killing. FCC Chair Brendan Carr publicly criticized Kimmel's remarks. He told a podcast host that "companies can find ways to take action, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead." Within 24 hours, Nexstar and Sinclair confirmed they would not air the show. ABC followed by preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

Notably, earlier this summer, CBS canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Trump cheered the cancellation. In July, he predicted that Kimmel would be "next to go." On Wednesday, after Kimmel's suspension, he posted on Truth Social:

"Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT."

Unions representing Hollywood's creative workers condemned ABC's action. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) called it "corporate cowardice" and warned that silencing voices "impoverishes the whole world."

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Also Read: "Silencing us impoverishes the whole world": Writers Guild of America issues bombshell statement following Kimmel's ABC suspension

"They should go on strike again": Internet reacts as SAG-AFTRA slams ABC's move against 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'

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