Jimmy Kimmel has never shied away from controversy, but the fallout from his recent comments about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has pushed his career into uncharted territory. The long-time late-night host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! is reportedly “furious” after ABC announced it would indefinitely suspend his program in the wake of his remarks. Insiders now say Kimmel, who has weathered countless political storms during his career, is not only considering his next move but actively plotting a permanent break with the network that has been his home for over two decades.

The crisis began after Kimmel used part of his Monday night monologue to address the shocking assassination of Kirk at Utah Valley University. Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old student, was arrested and charged with the killing. Despite early reports suggesting Robinson was motivated by far-left ideology and had been radicalized online, Kimmel implied during his segment that the suspect might instead be linked to conservative circles, even calling him a possible supporter of the MAGA movement. “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,” Kimmel told his audience.

The backlash was swift and fierce. Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr blasted the comments during a podcast interview with conservative host Benny Johnson, calling Kimmel’s remarks “some of the sickest conduct possible.” Carr even hinted at potential regulatory action against ABC affiliates airing Kimmel’s show, citing concerns over news distortion and community standards. His words carried weight, particularly as station groups across the country faced mounting pressure from viewers and politicians demanding accountability. Nexstar, one of the nation’s largest owners of local stations, quickly announced it would stop airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! “for the foreseeable future,” a move that signaled the beginning of the end for the host’s relationship with ABC.

For Kimmel, the suspension appears to be the final straw. Sources close to the comedian told the Daily Mail that he is “actively looking for ways to get out of his contract” with ABC altogether. “Jimmy is pissed over the decision to suspend him and the show and he isn’t going to take this lightly,” one insider said. “This is the last straw and Jimmy is now looking to forever break his relationship with ABC.” The same source revealed that Stephen Colbert, who has faced his own tensions with CBS over political clashes, is already exploring the idea of hosting Kimmel on The Late Show in solidarity. “Now they both are in the same predicament with being against the Trump administration, and they are looking to do something together to fight for what they believe in,” the source added.

The controversy underscores the increasingly precarious space that late-night hosts occupy in today’s political landscape. Kimmel has built his reputation on biting satire, heartfelt monologues, and unfiltered critiques of the Trump administration, often drawing both applause and condemnation for his outspoken approach. This time, however, critics argue that he crossed a line by mischaracterizing the suspect in a politically charged murder case. Robinson, according to investigators, adhered to far-left ideologies and lived with a transgender roommate, making Kimmel’s suggestion of a MAGA affiliation appear unfounded. For opponents, this misstep reinforced the perception that Kimmel lets partisanship cloud his judgment.

Inside ABC, executives reportedly felt they had little choice but to act decisively. Affiliate groups were threatening revolts, and the FCC’s scrutiny loomed large. By preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely, the network aimed to shield itself from further fallout. Yet the move has created its own wave of problems. Loyal viewers have expressed outrage over what they see as censorship, while Kimmel’s critics have celebrated his removal as a victory for accountability. The debate has only intensified as Sinclair, another major affiliate owner, declared it would replace Kimmel’s timeslot with a tribute to Kirk and demanded that the host issue a formal apology to the slain activist’s family.

Kimmel, for his part, has shown no signs of remorse. Insiders say he was preparing to address the backlash on Wednesday’s episode before ABC pulled the plug, intending to clarify his remarks but not to apologize. “He felt that what he said did not require an apology,” one source confirmed. That defiance, coupled with his anger at the network’s suspension, suggests Kimmel is ready to chart his own course outside of ABC if necessary. “This has lit an extreme fire under Jimmy’s a** to continue to tell it like it is and be real to himself,” the insider said.

The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! marks one of the most dramatic shake-ups in late-night television in recent memory. It comes at a time when the genre itself faces declining ratings and mounting political pressures. For years, Kimmel, Colbert, John Oliver, and others have blurred the lines between comedy and commentary, turning late-night shows into influential platforms for political debate. But as the case of Charlie Kirk’s assassination demonstrates, those platforms are increasingly vulnerable to backlash in a hyperpolarized America.

Whether Kimmel can repair his relationship with ABC remains doubtful. His anger at the network’s decision and determination to seek a permanent exit suggest he may soon become the first late-night host in modern history to walk away from a decades-long deal amid political controversy. If he does, he may not walk alone. With Colbert and other allies signaling their support, Kimmel could emerge as part of a new coalition of politically outspoken entertainers seeking to resist the pressures of network constraints. What’s certain is that the saga is far from over. Jimmy Kimmel may have lost his ABC platform, but the firestorm he ignited ensures that his voice will continue to resonate—louder and sharper than ever before.