Howard Stern slams ABC for suspending Jimmy Kimmel over Charlie Kirk comments

Howard Stern slammed “ridiculous” ABC for suspending Jimmy Kimmel over the late-night talk show host’s Charlie Kirk remarks.

“As you know, ABC threw Jimmy off the air. I don’t know what their plan is, but it looks like they might be firing [him],” the radio host said on SiriusXM’s “The Howard Stern Show” Monday.

“And then I read sometimes that they’re not gonna fire him. I don’t know.”

Stern, 71, said he has spoken to Kimmel, 57, and asked him how he “was doing personally.”

“I just know when the government begins to interfere, when the government says, ‘I’m not pleased with you, so we’re gonna orchestrate a way to silence you,’ it’s the wrong direction for our country,” he shared.

“And I should know — I’ve been involved in something like this. And now ABC is put in the same position and it’s unfortunate that ABC even has to be in this position. They shouldn’t have to be in this position. I feel for them, too, in this.”

However, Stern said someone needs to “step up” and not “bow” to every command of the government.

“Now it might sound stupid, but the thing I did this morning, I’m canceling my Disney+,” he said.

“I’m trying to say with the pocketbook that I do not support what they’re doing with Jimmy.”

Stern said we are now living in a “scary time when the government starts threatening you, which is not right.

“And I don’t think ABC should have to be in this position. It’s ridiculous. But I know most broadcasters would agree with me,” the media personality added.

“I don’t care what they broadcast, whether they’re these right-wing types, or left-wing types, whatever type you are we can’t have the government in this country dictating [speech].”

Last week, a spokesperson told Page Six that Kimmel’s late-night talk show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” was pulled off the air “indefinitely” after he made remarks about Kirk’s passing. 

Kirk, a right-wing political activist, was shot and killed on Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. He was 31.

On Sept. 15, Kimmel spoke briefly about the murder, claiming President Donald Trump’s “MAGA gang” was using the killing as a move to gain political points.

Sinclair, the media company that operates as the largest ABC affiliate group, demanded that Kimmel issue an on-air apology to Kirk’s family and donate to the late podcaster’s non-profit organization, Turning Point USA, to keep the talk show on the air.

However, the former “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” host reportedly refused.

Trump, 79, took to his social media platform to celebrate the news of Kimmel’s suspension.

“Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED,” the president wrote on Truth Social last Wednesday.

“Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done,” he added. “Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT.”

Sources exclusively told Page Six that Kimmel’s future at ABC was already up in the air before his Kirk comments because the comedian only had months left on his deal with Disney.