A 2017 Post Comes Back to Life
An old post by the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk has resurfaced in the wake of ABC’s decision to sideline late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. In 2017, Kirk bluntly wrote: “Jimmy Kimmel isn’t funny.”
Now, years later—and weeks after Kirk’s assassination—his supporters are flooding that post with comments, treating it as a symbolic “victory” over the comedian.
“Total victory,” one user wrote. Another added, “Still winning from above.” Others claimed Kirk had “defeated” Kimmel, with one commenter saying: “Doing the Lord’s work from beyond.”
Conservative commentator Benny Johnson amplified the resurfaced post, writing: “We did it for you, Charlie. And we’re just getting started…”
Why Did ABC Pull Jimmy Kimmel?
Kimmel was removed from air following remarks he made about Kirk’s killing during his Monday night monologue.
The late-night host criticized conservatives for trying to distance themselves from Tyler Robinson, the man accused of shooting Kirk. He also took issue with the lowering of flags in Kirk’s honor and mocked former President Donald Trump’s public grieving.
“This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish,” Kimmel said.
ABC parent company Nexstar said Kimmel’s comments crossed the line. In a statement, the company announced:
“Nexstar’s owned and partner television stations affiliated with the ABC Television Network will preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! for the foreseeable future beginning with tonight’s show. Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.”
What Happens Next?
- No Timeline for Return: ABC hasn’t given a date for when—or if—Kimmel might return to air.
- Tributes Instead: In some markets, Sinclair-owned ABC affiliates plan to air Charlie Kirk tributes in Kimmel’s former time slot.
- Polarized Response: Conservatives are hailing the move, while Kimmel’s defenders argue it sets a dangerous precedent for punishing comedians for political commentary.
Bigger Picture
This controversy comes at the intersection of media, politics, and grief. On one hand, Kimmel’s critics argue that mocking a recently murdered political activist is indecent. On the other hand, defenders say satire—even harsh satire—is part of late-night comedy’s DNA.
Either way, the resurfacing of Kirk’s old post shows how moments from the digital past can be reframed as rallying cries in today’s culture wars.
