Jimmy Kimmel was temporarily suspended in September following the TV host’s comments about the reaction to Charlie Kirk’s killing, as he pointed the finger at MAGA supporters
Niamh Spence Freelance Showbiz Reporter
00:03 ET, 05 Nov 2025
Bill Maher hits back at Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension over Charlie Kirk comment(Image: FilmMagic, Inc for HBO Films)
Comedian Bill Maher has waded in on the Jimmy Kimmel suspension, after the popular TV host was taken off air for comments about the late activist Charlie Kirk.
Jimmy Kimmel’s popular late night show was suspended in September following the TV host’s comments about the reaction to Charlie Kirk’s killing. The program, which has aired on ABC since 2003, was taken off air in September after Jimmy’s remarks following the fatal shooting of Kirk. One of the 57-year-old’s comments was that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk.”
During his opening monologue, Jimmy said Kirk’s alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, might have been a pro-Trump Republican. He told viewers “The MAGA Gang (is) 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. In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving.”
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ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! came after Nexstar Communications Group said it would pull the show.
Bill Maher has given his views on the Jimmy Kimmel suspension, and made it clear he doesn’t defend the comments(Image: FilmMagic, Inc for HBO Films)
Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division, which operates 23 ABC affiliates, said Jimmy’s comments about Kirk’s death “are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse.”
Also commenting via a statement, Disney explained its decision to suspend Kimmel, stating that it “to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” and labeling some of his comments as “ill-timed and thus insensitive.”
While many celebrities have stepped forward to show support for Kimmel in the weeks since he was suspended and then later reinstated, there have still been criticisms, with Maher one of the latest to step in.
Speaking during the latest episode of his Club Random podcast on Monday November 3, Maher claimed Kimmel’s comments were “not really a smart thing to say.”
He explained, “I didn’t agree with what he said because it was just wrong. I can’t lie and say I think what he said was accurate.”
Jimmy Kimmel was suspended after his Kirk comments, before being reinstated a few weeks later(Image: Deadline via Getty Images)
Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, has also opened up about the controversy surrounding ABC and Kimmel after his comments about Kirk’s shooting. While she did receive an apology from Kimmel, she stated, “I told them thank you, we received their note. This is not our issue. It’s not our mess.
“If you wanna say I’m sorry to someone who’s grieving, go right ahead. But if that’s not in your heart, then don’t do it. I don’t want it. I don’t need it.”
Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested and charged with the murder of Charlie Kirk a few days later.
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