Jimmy Kimmel was suspended by ABC after refusing to apologize for controversial remarks about Charlie Kirk’s killing, sparking nationwide backlash.

Jimmy Kimmel, the longtime host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was spotted Thursday afternoon arriving at a Century City law office in Los Angeles,

one day after ABC abruptly suspended his late-night talk show following heated backlash over comments he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kimmel, 57, appeared in public for the first time since the controversy broke, driving a black Audi S8 and flashing a noticeable smirk as photographers captured his arrival at the office complex.

He reportedly spent several hours in consultation with his attorney, Karl Austen, before departing through a back entrance.

The suspension followed Kimmel’s Monday night monologue in which he referenced the recent killing of Charlie Kirk, a prominent 31-year-old conservative commentator and founder of Turning Point USA.

Kirk was fatally shot on September 10 during a public event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, when a gunman fired a single round that struck him in the neck. The alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, 22, was apprehended and has been charged with first-degree murder.

During his remarks, Kimmel criticized what he described as attempts by the political right to manipulate the narrative surrounding the shooting.

“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang 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,”

Kimmel told his audience on Monday night. The comments sparked immediate backlash from conservative groups, major media affiliates, and political leaders.

ABC, owned by The Walt Disney Company, announced Wednesday that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be “indefinitely preempted” while the network reviewed the situation. Executives reportedly pressed Kimmel for a public apology, but he refused.

According to sources close to the discussions, Kimmel told Disney Television Group co-chair Dana Walden that he believed his remarks were justified and consistent with his long-running political satire, and therefore required no retraction.

The controversy escalated when the Federal Communications Commission weighed in. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr criticized Disney for what he described as “some of the sickest conduct possible” from a network host, urging the company to take strong corrective action.

Meanwhile, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group, both of which own numerous ABC affiliates across the country, announced they would no longer air Kimmel’s show.

Sinclair went further, demanding that Kimmel issue a direct apology to Kirk’s family and make a financial contribution to Turning Point USA.

Despite mounting pressure, Kimmel reportedly rejected multiple calls to issue a statement of regret.

“Jimmy felt strongly that apologizing would be insincere and would undermine his point,” one person familiar with the discussions said Thursday. “He understood the consequences, but he wasn’t willing to back down.”

Kimmel’s meeting with attorney Karl Austen on Thursday suggests the late-night host may be preparing for a protracted battle with his employer.

Austen is a high-profile entertainment lawyer whose clients have included Seth MacFarlane, Jude Law, Dave Bautista, and Jeffrey Wright.

Though neither Kimmel nor his representatives commented publicly after the meeting, industry observers noted that Kimmel has only a few months remaining on his Disney contract, raising speculation that ABC may have used the uproar as an opportunity to sidestep renewal negotiations.

The timing of the suspension comes as political tensions surrounding late-night television remain high. Earlier this summer, CBS abruptly ended The Late Show with Stephen Colbert following controversy over Colbert’s political commentary.

With Kimmel’s departure, two of the most outspoken critics of former President Donald Trump have now been silenced on major network television in less than three months.

Trump himself celebrated the decision in a post on his Truth Social platform, writing, “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.

Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible. That leaves Jimmy [Fallon] and Seth [Meyers], two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC!!! President DJT.”

On Thursday, Trump reiterated to reporters that Kimmel had been removed for “bad ratings,” downplaying the controversy over his comments.

The former president has long criticized late-night comedians who mocked him during his administration, frequently suggesting their shows were failing.

The suspension has drawn mixed reactions from Kimmel’s peers.

Jon Stewart, who recently returned to The Daily Show, mocked Trump in a segment addressing Kimmel’s removal, while Stephen Colbert delivered a somber on-air tribute declaring, “Tonight we are all Jimmy Kimmel.”

Jimmy Fallon, meanwhile, turned the incident into a lighthearted joke, telling his audience that his father called to make sure The Tonight Show had not also been canceled.

Reactions have also been divided among media analysts. Some argue ABC’s decision was a necessary step to protect the network from political and corporate fallout, especially as Disney faces scrutiny over potential media mergers requiring FCC approval.

Others see the suspension as a dangerous precedent for political interference in entertainment, particularly given Sinclair and Nexstar’s business interests in maintaining favorable relations with the federal government.

For Kimmel, the immediate future of his career remains uncertain. While ABC has not indicated whether he will return, the suspension effectively halts a program that has been a late-night staple since its debut in 2003.

Kimmel has hosted the show for over 20 years, building a reputation for celebrity interviews, viral comedy bits, and increasingly sharp political monologues.

Charlie Kirk’s death, which triggered the controversy, continues to reverberate across the political spectrum.

Kirk, a close ally of Donald Trump and a prominent figure in conservative activism, had built Turning Point USA into one of the most influential youth-focused political organizations in the country.

His killing shocked supporters and intensified debate over political violence in the United States.

As of Thursday night, representatives for both Disney and Kimmel declined to issue further comment.

For now, Kimmel’s absence leaves a major gap in the late-night landscape, raising questions about whether the host will fight for a return to network television, move to another platform, or walk away from the format entirely.

The events of the past week highlight the precarious balance between comedy, politics, and corporate media, as networks navigate a fraught cultural environment.

For Kimmel, the coming weeks may determine not only the fate of his show but also the broader role of political satire in American entertainment.