DISASTER FOR KIMMEL! Ratings COLLAPSE After “Controversial Comeback” — 71% of Viewers ABANDON the Late-Night Host Following His Suspension Over Charlie Kirk Remarks! What Was Meant to Be His Triumphant Return Has Turned Into a Public Humiliation No One Saw Coming!
Jimmy Kimmel’s Ratings Freefall After Suspension Over Charlie Kirk Remarks
Jimmy Kimmel’s triumphant return to late-night TV has turned into a ratings nightmare. Last month, Disney briefly suspended ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” after Kimmel made controversial comments about the alleged assassin of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, sparking outrage and a media firestorm.
When Disney reversed its decision, anticipation was sky-high. Kimmel’s much-hyped comeback on September 23 drew a massive audience. But the excitement was short-lived. By Thursday, October 2, viewership had plummeted to 1.9 million—a staggering 71% drop from his post-suspension episode.
The decline was even sharper among the coveted 25-54 age demographic, with only 265,000 tuning in, an 85% nosedive from the 1.7 million who watched his return. It marked Kimmel’s lowest numbers in this key group since his suspension.
Before the scandal, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” averaged 1.6 million viewers in 2025. Now, the show is teetering on the edge of its pre-scandal ratings, leaving ABC scrambling to regain lost ground.
To make matters worse, Kimmel was decisively outperformed by Fox News’ “Gutfeld!” on the same night. “Gutfeld!” pulled in 2.8 million viewers, beating Kimmel by 49% overall and by 40% in the advertiser-friendly demographic.
Kimmel landed in hot water last month after he falsely claimed that Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old suspect in Charlie Kirk’s assassination, was part of the “MAGA gang”—despite evidence and an indictment suggesting Robinson’s left-wing ideology.
“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.
His comments ignited backlash and scrutiny from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Disney suspended the show after Nexstar and Sinclair pulled Kimmel’s program from their stations. Kimmel reportedly refused to apologize for his remarks, further fueling the controversy.
Kirk’s supporters slammed Kimmel’s non-apology, accusing him of dodging responsibility for spreading falsehoods. “Kimmel is an unrepentant liar who tried to blame Charlie’s assassination on the part of the country that just spent the last two weeks praying and holding vigils,” said Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet.
Charlie Kirk was assassinated on September 10 during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University, sending shockwaves through the conservative community.
Kimmel’s brief suspension triggered outrage on the left, with hundreds protesting outside Disney’s Burbank headquarters and his Hollywood Boulevard studio, chanting, “ABC bent the knee! No to the FCC!”
After less than a week, Disney lifted the suspension, and Kimmel returned with a fiery monologue—stopping short of a full apology. He quickly resumed his nightly criticism of President Donald Trump and other conservatives.
But the ratings crash signals trouble ahead for Kimmel and ABC. As the dust settles, one thing is clear: late-night TV’s political battles are far from over.