Page Six has reached out to Kimmel’s reps for comment but did not immediately hear back.
However, sources told Deadline Thursday the late-night host is “unwilling to apologize for his remarks.”
The outlet also reported that Kimmel, 57, learned his 22-year run on ABC was put on pause via a phone call on Wednesday afternoon.
Earlier that day, Sinclair vice chairman Jason Smith slammed the “Man Show” alum’s remarks about Kirk — who was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University — as “inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country.”
Kirk, a conservative activist, was shot dead on Sept. 10.AFP via Getty Images
Kimmel implied on his show that Kirk’s shooter was part of the “MAGA gang,” referring to President Trump’s “Make America Great Again” supporters.Disney via Getty Images
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Brendan Carr also said on “The Benny Show” podcast Wednesday, “When you look at the conduct that has taken place by Jimmy Kimmel, it appears to be some of the sickest conduct possible.”
“There are avenues here for the FCC — so there are some ways in which I need to be a little bit careful because we could be called ultimately to be a judge on some of these claims that come up. But, I don’t think this is an isolated incident.”
Sinclair announced Wednesday that they were going to indefinitely preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC affiliates, and ABC subsequently decided to suspend the production of the show.
Sources told the Daily Mail that Kimmel is “absolutely f–king livid” over the decision and is reportedly looking to get out of his contract with ABC.
Sinclair and ABC pulled Kimmel’s show off the air on Wednesday.Disney via Getty Images
Kimmel is reportedly refusing to apologize.Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
The remarks that got the comedian in hot water in the first place aired during Monday’s broadcast of his show. He said at the time, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.”
Kimmel also poked fun at how President Trump grieved the loss of his longtime supporter, showing a clip of the commander-in-chief, 79, diverting a press question about Kirk’s death to highlight new construction plans on the White House.
However, Kimmel took a much tamer approach to discussing the topic via his Instagram , writing, “Instead of the angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human?”
President Trump, who was friends with Kirk, has slammed Kimmel following his show’s suspension.Getty Images
The president boasted via Truth Social Wednesday, “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED.”GC Imagesv “Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done,” the president 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.”
