Jimmy Kimmel told 'apologise and donate to Charlie Kirk's family' to get show back

Jimmy Kimmel has been given strict instructions if he wants to see his beloved ABC return to the air.

The 57-year-old comedian's long-running TV talk-show was pulled by ABC after he recently suggested that Tyler Robinson, the man accused of fatally shooting Kirk at a university in Utah, was aligned to the Make America Great Again movement.

Sinclair, the broadcasting company which makes up the US' largest ABC affiliate group has issued a string of conditions they want met before they will screen Jimmy Kimmel Live! again.

• Jimmy Kimmel axe blasted by Stephen Colbert as host blames Donald Trump
• JD Vance announces 'new ABC late night host' after Jimmy Kimmel axe

According to People magazine, Kimmel has been ordered to apologise and make a "meaningful personal donation" to Charlie Kirk's non-profit if he wants to return to air.

The media company said they "objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the assassination of Charlie Kirk" and, after discussions with ABC, made the decision to "indefinitely preempt" Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

Sinclair Vice Chairman Jason Smith added: "Mr. Kimmel's remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country. We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities.

"We appreciate FCC Chairman [Brendan] Carr's remarks today and this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks."

The broadcasters vowed not to lift the suspension of the show on their ABC stations until there are "formal discussions" with the network regarding their "commitment to professionalism and accountability".

Sinclair also want Jimmy to "issue a direct apology to the Kirk family" and to make a "meaningful personal donation to the Kirk Family and Turning Point USA," Kirk's organisation which advocates for conservative politics on high school, college and university campuses.

They noted that "regardless of ABC's plans for the future of the programme", they won't broadcast the show again until they are "confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform."

Sinclair's ABC stations in 30 markets - including KOMO in Seattle, WJLA in Washington, KDNL in St. Louis, KTUL in Tusla, and KATU in Portland — will air a "special in remembrance" of the late political activist in Jimmy Kimmel Live!'s timeslot on Friday (19.09.25).

They are also offering the special to ABC affiliates across the country.

Late night hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and Jon Stewart pledged support to Jimmy Kimmel on their shows on Thursday (18.09.25) night.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! has been pulled off air "indefinitely" by ABC over comments the 57-year-old star made about the killing of political campaigner Charlie Kirk, and his fellow talk show presenters have hit out at the "blatant censorship" of the decision.

Opening The Late Show, Stephen - whose own programme is due to end next year - said: “Tonight, we are all Jimmy Kimmel.

"Yesterday, after threats from Trump's FCC Chair, ABC yanked Kimmel off the air indefinitely. That is blatant censorship.

" It always starts small. Remember, in week one of his presidency, call it Gulf of America. Sure, seems harmless, but with an autocrat, you cannot give an inch.

"If ABC thinks that this is going to satisfy the regime, they are woefully naïve."

The 61-year-old comic then joked the controversy had overshadowed his Emmy Award win on Sunday (14.09.25).

Brandishing his statuette, he quipped: "To Jimmy, I stand with you and your staff, 100%. But also, you couldn’t let me enjoy this for like one week?”

Jimmy Fallon pledged his support to "decent" Jimmy Kimmel and expressed hope his show would return.

He joked at the beginning of his monologue: "The big story is that Jimmy Kimmel was suspended by ABC after pressure from the FCC, leaving everyone thinking, 'WTF?'"