ABC affiliate owner demands Jimmy Kimmel make Charlie Kirk donation

Media giant Sinclair called on Jimmy Kimmel to apologize directly to the Charlie Kirk family over the remarks he made about the conservative activist’s killing, and to give both them and Turning Point USA a “meaningful personal donation”.

Sinclair, which owns a number of ABC affiliates, had told ABC that it would indefinitely preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! prior to the show’s suspension by the network.

The controversy centered on remarks Kimmel made in a recent monologue in which he floated that the suspect in the killing of Kirk, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, could be aligned with “the MAGA gang” or possibly “one of them.”

The Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates the networks, has also sharply criticized Kimmel’s comments, putting greater political and business pressure on the companies to take action.

“Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” said Sinclair’s Vice Chairman Jason Smith in a statement.

“We believe broadcasters have a responsibility to educate and elevate respectful, constructive dialogue in our communities.”

Smith continued that “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.”

This is a developing article. Updates to follow.