Sinclair, a media company run as the largest ABC affiliate group, has issued a list of demand as Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show has returned to the air.
“Sinclair doesn’t lift the suspension of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Read a press release issued Wednesday and at our station until formal discussion with the ABC regarding the network’s commitment to network professionalism and accountability.
The local television giant has called on Kimmel himself to “directly apologize” to Charlie Kirk’s family.
“We also ask Kimmel to make meaningful personal donations to the Kirk Family and Turning Point USA,” Sinclair added.
Page 6 contacted Kimmel’s representatives for comment but did not immediately respond.
However, sources said the late-night host “doesn’t want to apologise for what he said.”
The outlet also reported that Kimmel, 57, has learned that his 22-year run at ABC will be suspended by phone on Wednesday afternoon.
That day, Sinclair Vice President Jason Smith accused the Man Show of Kirk, who was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University, as “inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a moment of crucial to our country.”
“If you look at the actions that Jimmy Kimmel has happened, it appears to be some of the most ill acts possible,” Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Kerr said on a “Benny Shaw” podcast on Wednesday.
“There’s a measure here at the FCC, so there are some ways to be a little careful about it, as they will ultimately be called some judges of these claims. But I don’t think this is an isolated case.”
Sinclair announced Wednesday that they were planning to take the lead indefinitely, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” ABC affiliate, and ABC has since decided to pause production of the show.
Sources told the Daily Mail that Kimmel was reportedly “absolutely rushing” over the decision and trying to get out of his contract with ABC.
The comment that put the comedian in hot water at the first location was aired during his show’s Monday airing. He said at the time, “We hit a new low over the weekend to try and characterize this child that the Magagangs killed Charlie Kirk as something other than one of them.”
Kimmel also enjoyed President Trump’s saddening the loss of his longtime supporters, showing a clip of Commander 79 and diverting press conference questions about Kirk’s death to highlight new construction plans for the White House.
But Kimmel took the approach of many tamers to discuss the topic via his Instagram, saying, “Instead of an angry finger point, can we just agree that shooting another person is a horrible and monster?”
Since the news of the show’s suspension broke, Trump has been publicly shining through truth social.
“Congratulations to ABC for having the courage to do what they have to do in the end,” the president added.
“Kimmel has zero talent and if that’s possible, he has a worse rating than Colbert. That leaves two total losers on fake news NBC, Jimmy and Seth. Their ratings are also scary.
