Charlie Kirk memorial: Donald Trump hails ‘American hero’ as widow Erika forgives husband’s killerYour support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Read more
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel will return to television on Tuesday evening after being suspended for comments made about the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the Walt Disney Company announced on Monday.
Hours after the high-profile memorial for Kirk, the company that owns ABC explained that they chose to remove Kimmel indefinitely to “avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country.”
“It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive,” Disney said in a statement.
Officials, conservative groups, and lawmakers, including President Donald Trump, had condemned Kimmel for mischaracterizing the suspected assassin who killed Kirk as “MAGA” on his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! Authorities say the suspected shooter did not agree with Kirk’s ideology.
ABC decided to “indefinitely” remove Kimmel after FCC chair Brendan Carr pressured the network.
But the fallout of ABC’s decision has led to protests and concerns from entertainers and lawmakers about the government infringing on free speech.
Disney said after having “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel, they are choosing to return the show.
Watch: White House defends Trump saying he hates his opponentsWhite House defends Trump saying he hates his opponents
Ariana Baio22 September 2025 22:30
Sisters accused of vandalizing Charlie Kirk memorial launch GoFundMe after job loss
After two sisters in Arkansas were arrested for allegedly vandalizing a Charlie Kirk memorial, they are now trying to pay for legal fees through a GoFundMe campaign.
Kerri Melissa Rollo, 23, and Kaylee Heather Rollo, 22, were arrested for allegedly vandalizing a memorial set up at the Benton County Courthouse to honor the conservative youth activist, 31, who was shot dead on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University.
Read more from Graig Graziosi:
Graig Graziosi 22 September 2025 22:00
Producer of Kirk’s podcast urges TV station operators not to air Kimmel’s show
Andrew Klovert, the executive producer of Charlie Kirk’s podcast, reacted to news that ABC will allow Jimmy Kimmel to return to the air by urging the largest television station operators not to air the show.
“Disney and ABC caving and allowing Kimmell [sic] back on the air is not surprising, but it’s their mistake to make. Nextstar and Sinclair do not have to make the same choice,” Klovert wrote on X.
Sinclair Broadcasting Group and Nexstar Media Group are the largest TV station operators in the country, owning and operating most stations across the country.
Both had said they would refuse to air Kimmel’s show after the host made comments about the suspected shooter who killed Kirk. That was after FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened ABC and its parent company, Disney, to hold Kimmel accountable and pressured local stations to preempt Kimmel’s show.
Ariana Baio22 September 2025 21:30
Turning Point USA will leave an empty chair in tribute to Charlie Kirk
Turning Point USA, the nonprofit founded by Charlie Kirk, will continue its American Comeback Tour on Monday and pay tribute to Kirk with a gesture.
“The event will go on,” Michael Knowles, a conservative political commentator, told Fox & Friends.
“There will be an empty chair on stage. I will give a tribute to Charlie and then we will open up the floor to an open conversation. Charlie’s enemies will not have stopped that,” Knowles added
Knowles is expected to host an event in Minnesota with several of Kirk’s friends.
Ariana Baio22 September 2025 21:15
Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return on Tuesday
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel will return to television on Tuesday evening, the Walt Disney Company said in a statement on Monday.
Just hours after officials held a high-profile memorial for Charlie Kirk, the company that owns ABC said it would allow Kimmel to return.
“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” Disney said in a statement.
“It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”
Ariana Baio22 September 2025 20:54
Trump ‘open’ to adding a Charlie Kirk national holiday after complaining on Juneteenth that there were too many of them
Less than three months after President Donald Trump complained that Americans have “too many non-working holidays,” the White House says he would not oppose adding one more — in honor of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Andrew Feinberg22 September 2025 20:30
Utah Valley University launching review of Charlie Kirk shooting to improve campus security
Utah Valley University is launching an independent, external review of the fatal shooting of prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk on its campus earlier this month.
“We believe the findings of the comprehensive, third-party independent review of this targeted act of violence will offer valuable insights on how college campuses improve response and preparedness moving forward,” Astrid S. Tuminez, the school’s president, said in an emailed statement. “We will integrate the findings into our efforts to strengthen and improve safety practices for UVU and all of Utah higher education.”
AP22 September 2025 20:00
Jimmy Kimmel’s cousin says there are more ‘bombshells’ to come after shock axing
Jimmy Kimmel’s cousin and longtime collaborator Sal Iacono says there are more “bombshells” yet to be revealed regarding the late-night host being pulled off the air.
Speaking on The Bill Simmons Podcast, Iacono said he didn’t want to reveal too much as he’s aware many Jimmy Kimmel Live! staff members could still lose their jobs, but continued: “I wish I could say anything. There are a couple bombshells still there. I’m feeling good. We’re going to be all right. Everything’s going to be just fine.”
He also agreed that Kimmel would be fine whatever happens in the fallout, agreeing with host Simmons when he said: “He’ll be fine, whatever he wants to do. He might just want to be a pop-up chef and start making barbecue around the South Bay. He’ll do a great job.”
Kevin E G Perry22 September 2025 19:30
Asked about Trump’s rhetoric, White House says he is ‘authentic’
The White House justified Trump’s harsh statement, saying he hates his political opponents, by contending the president is “authentically himself.”
During Kirk’s memorial on Sunday, Trump said, “I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them.”
When asked whether or not Trump’s statement aligned with turning the temperature down on political violence in the country, Leavitt shrugged it off.
“Look, the president is authentically himself. I think that’s why millions of Americans across the country love him,” Leavitt said.
The administration has said it would target individuals who do not condemn Kirk’s assassination or “celebrate” his killing. Trump has also blamed the left for using rhetoric that incited political violence.
Leavitt, on Monday, attacked those who the administration believes elevated political violence rhetoric but defended Trump’s claims that he hates his political opponents (AP)
Ariana Baio22 September 2025 19:15
White House attacks Democrats who did not sign Kirk resolution
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt strongly condemned the 96 Democratic members of Congress who refused to sign a House resolution that honors the life of Kirk.
Referring to the Democrats as “fringe,” and “radical” Leavitt criticized those who did not vote in favor of the resolution.
Leavitt misrepresented the resolution as a simple statement “condemning, in the strongest possible terms, the assassination of Charles James Kirk in all forms of political violence.”
“There were no strings attached to this vote. This was a simple gesture of human decency to denounce political violence,” Leavitt said.
The House resolution, which ultimately did pass, was a condemnation of the assassination, but it was also an endorsement of Kirk.
The resolution said Kirk sought to “elevate truth, foster understanding, and strengthen the Republic” and “worked tirelessly to promote unity without compromising on conviction.” It also claimed he was a model for all young Americans
Ariana Baio22 September 2025 19:00