Could Jimmy Fallon’s Show Be Canceled After Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension?
The media moves linked in some way to the MAGA sphere and Donald Trump regarding the so-far major late-night show stars leave several questions unanswered
The late-night landscape has been shaken in recent weeks, raising questions about which hosts might face cancellation next. The controversy began when ABC indefinitely pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air following comments Kimmel made on September 15 about the shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. During his monologue, Kimmel criticized Donald Trump supporters in connection with the incident, sparking backlash that led some ABC affiliates, including Nexstar, to stop airing the show.
“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 said.
NEW: Disney’s ABC has permanently suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live following the late-night host’s recent comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination
“We had some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as… pic.twitter.com/Q0002bBSjy
— HOT SPOT (@HotSpotHotSpot) September 17, 2025
However, it’s important to clarify that Jimmy Kimmel has not been fired. The show is “pre-empted indefinitely,” and his contract with ABC runs through May 2026. The situation also drew attention from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by Trump in 2017 and confirmed as head of the commission in 2020. Carr suggested broadcasters need to uphold their “public interest” responsibilities and criticized late-night hosts for favoring narrow political perspectives. Despite his comments, Kimmel remains attached to the network and no permanent cancellation has been announced.
Earlier on the same day as ABC’s announcement, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by Donald Trump in 2017 and confirmed as head of the commission in 2020, appeared on a right-wing podcast and implied that ABC affiliates could face scrutiny over Kimmel’s comments. In his interview with Benny Johnson, Carr suggested that suspending Kimmel might be an appropriate step for the network. Hours after the interview, ABC pulled the show, and Johnson later claimed online that his conversation with Carr had influenced the decision, stating: “It’s called soft power… Thanks to President Trump, the Right has learned how to wield power as well.”
Is Jimmy Fallon’s Show at Risk Too?
The suspension of Kimmel’s show has naturally prompted speculation about other late-night hosts. Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show on NBC is frequently mentioned in these discussions, especially in light of recent political pressure on talk shows.
«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,» Trump wrote. «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,» Trump tweeted on September 17.
Yet, Fallon’s position appears secure. He recently extended his contract with NBCUniversal through 2028, and he continues to host other projects, including Password and a new reality series, On Brand with Jimmy Fallon.
Fallon has faced production setbacks—such as budget cuts that reduced tapings from five to four days a week—but insiders emphasize that his show’s continuity is driven more by entertainment performance than politics. While Trump publicly criticized Fallon and fellow NBC host Seth Meyers on social media, sources say these statements have not influenced NBC’s plans for the show.
The broader context is also relevant. Earlier this year, CBS canceled Stephen Colbert’s Late Show amid speculation about political motives and ratings issues. That cancellation added to the perception of a “cancel culture” trend affecting politically outspoken hosts. But in Fallon’s case, NBC’s audience—similar to ABC’s—is largely Democratic, which may provide some insulation, though political orientation alone is not the decisive factor.