Charlie Kirk tribute scrapped by Sinclair after local TV giant got threats against its ABC stations: source

Sinclair Broadcast Group abruptly cancelled plans to air a Charlie Kirk tribute last week after the company’s local ABC affiliates received multiple violent threats — forcing the firm to move the program to YouTube just minutes before it was scheduled to begin, The Post has learned.

The Baltimore-based local TV giant, which owns more than 40 ABC affiliates, yanked the Charlie Kirk tribute late Friday after it was alerted to “local threats directed at specific local ABC stations resulting from [the] ABC suspension” of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, a source close to the situation told The Post.

Last week, a gunman fired at least three shots into the lobby of a Tegna-owned ABC affiliate in Sacramento. There were no injuries. Authorities arrested the suspect, who was later freed on bail. The FBI then took the suspect into custody.

In the days that followed, Sinclair executives grew increasingly concerned that airing the Kirk tribute special would potentially inspire copycat crimes similar to the shooting in Sacramento, according to the source, who asked not to be identified.

Sinclair notified both law enforcement as well as private security firms regarding the threats, the source said. Further details including whether federal or local law enforcement officials were alerted could not immediately be confirmed.

In addition to scrapping the Charlie Kirk tribute, Sinclair placed additional security measures at all of its facilities, according to the source.

The Post has sought comment from Sinclair. An FBI spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment.

Sinclair had announced earlier in the week that it would replace “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” with the Charlie Kirk special following Kimmel’s suspension.

But just nine minutes before airtime, viewers who tuned in at 11:35 p.m. were instead shown “Celebrity Family Feud.”

In a brief statement, Sinclair said it would “continue to air ABC network programming as scheduled in the late-night time period.”

The Kirk tribute that ultimately aired on YouTube recounted the conservative activist’s assassination in Utah, the evidence against suspected gunman Tyler Robinson and the ongoing federal investigation.

The program also traced Kirk’s rise as founder of Turning Point USA, his devotion to faith and debate, and the massive response from supporters pledging to expand his movement after his death.

The tribute had been promoted as Sinclair’s answer to ABC’s indefinite benching of Kimmel after his Sept. 15 monologue about Kirk’s killing.

During that broadcast, Kimmel accused conservatives of exploiting the shooting and tied the suspect to the MAGA movement.

FCC chairman Brendan Carr later warned Disney affiliates on a podcast that they could face “additional work for the FCC” if Kimmel was not pulled — remarks widely interpreted as a threat to their licenses.

Nexstar, which is awaiting regulatory approval of a $6.2 billion merger, quickly preempted Kimmel’s show. Sinclair followed suit, initially vowing to keep Kimmel off the air until he apologized to Kirk’s family and donated to his group, Turning Point USA.

By Friday night, Sinclair reversed course, abandoning the Kirk tribute and restoring ABC’s schedule. The company has not said whether the special will be broadcast at a later date.

The retreat drew sharp criticism from conservative commentators online.

“Unreal. You guys caved,” one user wrote on X. “The moral cowardice is breathtaking,” another said.

Others accused Sinclair of betraying its base. “You caved and lost an audience of 100,000,000. Cowards,” one user posted.

“You could learn something about courage from Charlie Kirk,” another wrote.

Some who watched the tribute on YouTube said it fell short of expectations.

“It was ok, but viewed more like a news program than an actual tribute to his life. Wasn’t bad, but I had hoped for more,” one viewer said.

The flap adds to the turmoil engulfing late-night television.

CBS announced earlier this year that it would discontinue Stephen Colbert’s late night, a move welcomed by President Trump, who later predicted Kimmel would be next.

ABC has offered no timetable for Kimmel’s return.