I reported how Sinclair, which is the largest affiliate group of ABC stations, was not happy with Jimmy Kimmel's comments implying MAGA was to blame for Charlie Kirk's death and exploiting it. Then Disney, which owns ABC, announced it had suspended Kimmel's show.
Sinclair weighed in with a statement demanding changes from ABC and a discussion about professionalism and accountability. They said they wouldn't run the Kimmel show again until Kimmel apologized and made a donation to TPUSA and the Kirk family. They also said they would be running a tribute to Charlie Kirk last Friday, in the slot where Kimmel's show would normally run.
READ MORE: Sinclair Delivers Big Statement on Kimmel Suspension With What They'll Be Airing in His Slot Instead
Then they announced they would run the tribute on YouTube instead.
Watch now: https://t.co/2OG7KE9S8Z pic.twitter.com/oRNt3vXnhU
— Sinclair, Inc. (@WeAreSinclair) September 20, 2025
According to the NY Post, they did that because they were getting threats.
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.
As we reported, the Tegna-owned ABC station in Sacramento was shot up on Friday. The suspect was arrested by local police, released, but has now been taken into custody by the FBI.
The FBI has taken into custody the suspect linked to the shooting into ABC10’s Sacramento station lobby under a federal hold for interference with licensed broadcasts.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) September 22, 2025
Targeted acts of violence are unacceptable and will be pursued to the fullest extent of the law. pic.twitter.com/M9yy1tSjGv
That shooting apparently concerned Sinclair as well, according to the Post report.
They placed additional security at their stations because of the threats and notified law enforcement.
So, can we talk a little more about leftist threats or violence? And then not putting on the tribute makes people think that threats will get them what they want.
Now, Disney has announced that they're going to put Kimmel's show back on, after having "conversations" with Kimmel.
READ MORE: That Didn't Take Long: Jimmy Kimmel Now to Return to ABC
While they call what he said "insensitive," what you don't see in there is an apology from Kimmel.
So I have a question: Are the affiliates like Sinclair and Nexstar who were upset going to run the show? Or will Sinclair backtrack on what it said? I'm not seeing an official statement from Sinclair after that statement about putting the tribute on YouTube. We'll have to see what the response is, and we'll let you know.
But this action by Disney also seems to settle the question of the involvement of the FCC, if Disney is going to turn around and change their mind a week later. Looks like the left's free speech excuse just devolved into dust. I have another question: Are they going to be concerned about the threats to Sinclair stations and what sure looks like a real effort to shut down speech? Surely they will take that up and stand with Sinclair.
Yeah, no, I don't expect they'll do any such thing.
Editor's Note: The mainstream media continues to deflect, gaslight, spin, and lie about President Trump, his administration, and conservatives.
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