Image source, Getty Images

US comedians have come to the defence of one of their own, Jimmy Kimmel, a day after his eponymous show was suspended by broadcaster ABC.

Kimmel's show was pulled after he said the man suspected of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk was part of the right wing and accused conservatives of using Kirk's death to score political points.

Trump appointee Brendan Carr who heads the Federal Communications Commission says he appeared to "directly mislead the American public" with his comments.

Democrats decried the suspension, with former President Barack Obama saying the government was using regulatory bodies to muzzle dissenting voices.

Kimmel's suspension comes after Carr called for the show's suspension and for local ABC affiliate stations not to carry the late-night comedy programme.

Nextstar, which owns several local television stations, was among the first to say it will not air future shows on the ABC-affiliate stations it owns. The company is in the midst of merger talks that would require FCC approval.

We are closing our live page now, but you can read more of our coverage here: Trump says TV networks 'against' him should 'maybe' lose licence, after Kimmel suspension

Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr has spoken again about his agency's role in regulating broadcasting in the US.

He says the FCC will continue to "constrain the power" of broadcasters so that they act in what he says is the public interest.

"I don't think this is the last shoe to drop," Carr says - referring to Jimmy Kimmel's show being suspended - while speaking on The Will Cain Show on FOX. "This is a massive shift that's taking place in the media ecosystem."

"We're going to continue to hold these broadcasters accountable to the public interest," Carr, a Trump appointee, adds.

"And if broadcasters don't like that simple solution, they can turn their license into the FCC."

You can read more about the FCC's role here.

Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democrat, has responded to Jimmy Kimmel's suspension by issuing a warning for the FCC - while wearing a Jimmy Kimmel Live! hat

" I want to make it clear - there's going to be a Democratic majority in just over a year," Swalwell says, predicting that his party will win the midterm elections in 2026.

Image source, Reuters

What is the FCC?

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the agency that regulates broadcast communications in the US - it's an independent government agency in the executive branch, and is overseen by Congress.

What does the FCC do?

Congress has explicitly set out in law that the FCC does not have "the power of censorship" over broadcast communications, and that it cannot "interfere with the right of free speech".

But the FCC says on its website that broadcasters under its jurisdiction are required by law to operate in the public interest.

The website says the regulator has long held that "the public interest is best served by permitting free expression of views".

"Rather than suppress speech, communications law and policy seeks to encourage responsive 'counter-speech' from others. Following this principle ensures that the most diverse and opposing opinions will be expressed, even though some views or expressions may be highly offensive," it says.

But it says it does impose certain restraints and obligations on the broadcasters that fall under its jurisdiction.

How does the FCC enforce its mandate?

The agency once fined Kimmel's show for mimicking a presidential mobile alert on the programme - a specific violation that falls under the FCC's mandate to enforce.

On its website, the FCC says it has a "narrow" role in taking action on complaints about the accuracy or bias of news networks.

"Broadcasters are only subject to enforcement if it can be proven that they have deliberately distorted a factual news report. Expressions of opinion or errors stemming from mistakes are not actionable," it says.

Image source, ABC via Getty Images

The latest comedian lining up to defend Kimmel and criticise ABC is David Letterman.

Letterman, who hosted late night comedy shows for 33 years, says Kimmel's suspension was a sign of "dictatorship" in the US and that "sooner or later, everyone is going to be touched".

Letterman was speaking at The Atlantic Festival to the magazine's editor Jeffery Goldberg. He defended his successor Stephen Colbert, a critic of Trump, whose show was not renewed by CBS and will come to an end next May.

We have yet to hear from other bastions of the late-night genre on this topic - though that could change later when Jon Stewart appears on The Daily Show at 2300 EDT(0300 BST) in a switch-up from the usual schedule.

Stewart generally only hosts the comedy programme on Monday evenings, but has made a last-minute change-up to go on air tonight.

Following his show's suspension, Jimmy Kimmel fans are protesting in Los Angeles, outside Disney - which is the parent company of ABC, the network on which Kimmel's show has aired for 22 years.

This move "is a failure of independent media", says one demonstrator.

Image source, Getty Images

Before Jimmy Kimmel Live! was pulled off the air by ABC, two powerful media companies influenced his ouster: Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group.

These two television giants own hundreds of local news stations across the US, including many ABC affiliates.

Hours after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair criticised Kimmel on a podcast, both of these groups promised to suspend the airing of Kimmel's show on the ABC-affiliated channels that they own.

Nexstar called the comedian's remarks about Kirk "offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse", saying it would stop airing his show "for the foreseeable future".

Nexstar is currently seeking FCC approval for its planned $6.2bn (£4.5bn) merger with Tegna.

Sinclair also made a similar statement, and said it would air a special remembrance programme dedicated to Kirk during the original time slot for Kimmel's show on Friday.

Sinclair is asking for Kimmel to apologize and donate to Kirk's Turning Point USA political organisation before it would consider re-airing his show.

Image source, EPA

Earlier, senior Democrats released a joint statement condemning the actions of the US media regulator's chairman - Brendan Carr.

The letter comes from Democratic leader of the House of Representatives Hakeem Jeffries, whip Katherine Clark, caucus chair Pete Aguilar, caucus vice chair Ted Lieu, assistant leader Joe Neguse and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chair Suzan DelBene.

Here's the statement in full:

"Brendan Carr, the so-called Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, has engaged in the corrupt abuse of power.

"He has disgraced the office he holds by bullying ABC, the employer of Jimmy Kimmel, and forcing the company to bend the knee to the Trump administration.

"FCC Chair Brendan Carr should resign immediately. Donald Trump and the Republican Party’s war on the First Amendment is blatantly inconsistent with American values.

"Media companies, such as the one that suspended Mr. Kimmel, have a lot to explain.

"The censoring of artists and cancellation of shows is an act of cowardice. It may also be part of a corrupt pay-to-play scheme.

"House Democrats will make sure the American people learn the truth, even if that requires the relentless unleashing of congressional subpoena power. This will not be forgotten."

More now from President Trump, who has been speaking to reporters on Air Force One as he returns from the UK.

Trump reiterates his criticism that Jimmy Kimmel has "no talent", and then calls him a "whack job".

He also talks about the possibility of networks having their licences taken away.

He says he has "read someplace" statistics that show the TV networks have been overwhelmingly against him in terms of "negative" and "bad press", and says he won the election anyway.

"I would think maybe their licence should be taken away," he says, adding that will be up to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman, Brendan Carr.

He describes Carr - who has been at the centre of the Kimmel controversy - as "outstanding" and a "tough guy", saying the chair of the broadcast regulator "loves our country".

Image source, Reuters

All day we've brought you reaction to Jimmy Kimmel's suspension - from those in favour and those against, including comedians and an FCC governor.

Among those not mourning the loss of Kimmel's show is conservative broadcaster Matt Walsh, who calls the talk-show a "disgusting scumbag".

"Jimmy Kimmel lied about Charlie’s assassination and used the opportunity to defame Charlie’s own friends and allies. He deserves to be fired for it," he writes.

Journalist and presenter Megyn Kelly echoed those statements, saying Kimmel purposely lied on the air.

"This was an intentional lie to GIN UP HATRED toward the very group of ppl most suffering in the wake of our devastating loss of Charlie and Kimmel did it willfully and even gleefully to a cheering complicit audience," she writes.

After Kimmel's comments, the largest ABC affiliate in the US is asking Jimmy Kimmel to apologise and make a donation to Charlie Kirk's family and political organisation before his show goes back on air.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns many local ABC channels, was one of two groups that said it would pull Jimmy Kimmel Live from its channels before ABC suspended the show.

But the suspension is "not enough" a Sinclair statement said.

To reinstate the show, Sinclair says it needs to have discussions with ABC "regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability".

It's also asking Kimmel himself to "make a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk Family and Turning Point USA".

Turning Point USA is the right-wing political advocacy organisation founded by Kirk.

Image source, Getty Images via AFP

We've just heard from the top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, who describes Kimmel's suspension as a "glaring example" of an "ever-escalating campaign to use the mighty power of the federal government to attack civil society".

He says political violence has no place in the US, but adds "the Trump administration campaign of threats against civil society and free speech" is an "assault on everything this country has stood for".

The veteran Democrat says the administration is trying to snuff out free speech, adding: "They don't want people to even speak when they don't like what they say. That is the road to autocracy."

"There is an assault on democracy coming out of the White House and their allies," he says, saying "using the tragic death of Charlie Kirk as an excuse... to supercharge a political witch hunt against critics is abhorrent, obnoxious and as un-American as it gets."

He was speaking alongside other Democrats in the US Capitol building as they announced their proposed No Political Enemies Act, legislation they say would stop the government from being used as a "political weapon".

Why American CEOs are looking on with cautionpublished at 18:44 BST 18 September

18:44 BST 18 September

Michelle Fleury
New York business correspondent

Let’s start with this: many American companies support Donald Trump’s policies - some quite enthusiastically.

But what about those that don’t?

For a group as powerful as corporate America, CEOs have been remarkably quiet.

There are good reasons for that. Take Elon Musk: once a close ally of Trump and a major Republican donor, Musk played an active role in the administration. But after a very public split, Trump threatened to pull federal contracts and subsidies from his companies.

And it’s not just Musk. According to Axios, Trump has reportedly compiled a "scorecard" ranking US companies based on their loyalty to him - a clear signal that dissent could come at a cost.

It’s no surprise, then, that many CEOs have opted to keep their heads down.

The indefinite suspension of the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show underscores the stakes. With government pressure mounting and money on the line, companies are facing tough choices - and, in some cases, they’re backing down.

Image source, For The Washington Post via Getty Images

As we've been reporting, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr threatened action against Kimmel's show on Wednesday - and earlier today repeated his criticism of the comedian.

But his view is not shared by all at the FCC.

One of Carr's leadership colleagues, FCC commissioner Anna Gomez, has released a statement saying Kimmel's "inopportune joke" is being used as a "pretext" for the administration to punish speech it dislikes, accusing ABC of a "shameful show of cowardly corporate capitulation".

"We cannot allow an inexcusable act of political violence to be twisted into a justification for government censorship and control," she says.

"This FCC does not have the authority, the ability, or the constitutional right to police content or punish broadcasters for speech the government dislikes."

She says that if corporations "surrender" in the face of government pressure then they "endanger not just themselves, but the right to free expression for everyone in this country".

"Free speech is the foundation of our democracy, and we must push back against any attempt to erode it," she says.

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-Aftra) have stood by Kimmel after his show was suspended.

"The right to speak our minds and to disagree with each other – to disturb, even – is at the very heart of what it means to be a free people," the Writers Guild says in a statement.

"Shame on those in government who forget this founding truth," the union says.

SAG-Aftra echoes those sentiments, saying in a statemen of its own that the "suppression of free speech and retaliation for speaking out on significant issues of public concern run counter to the fundamental rights we all rely on".

The union adds that suspension "endangers everyone’s freedoms".

Image source, Reuters

We've already brought you reaction from commentators critical of Kimmel for suggesting the Charlie Kirk shooter was a Maga supporter - let's now take a look at the other side.

"This isn't right," actor Ben Stiller says on social media when responding to news of Kimmel's suspension.

Comedian and actress Wanda Sykes posted a video on Instagram saying she had been due to appear on Kimmel's show on Wednesday night.

"(Trump) didn't end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week, but he did end freedom of speech within his first year. Hey, for those of you who pray, now is the time to do it. Love you Jimmy," she says.

Alex Edelman, also a comedian and actor, says on social media: "This is the actual cancel culture everyone claims to hate so much."

Image source, EPA

We're continuing to bring you updates on the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night talk show. If you're just joining us, here's a quick recap of what's happened so far:

• On Wednesday, media giant Nexstar said it was pulling Kimmel's show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, from its local stations
• The ABC network then suspended the show indefinitely, just hours after the chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr, threatened to act against the company
• Carr has since said that Kimmel appeared to "directly mislead the American public"
• Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries and other senior Democrats say Carr is "bullying" ABC and should resign
• The controversy was sparked by Kimmel's claim on Monday about the suspect in the shooting death of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk last week, saying: "The Maga Gang (is) desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it"
• Prior to Kimmel's comment, Utah's governor had described the suspect as having a leftist ideology
• President Trump says Kimmel was "fired for lack of talent"
• Former President Barack Obama says the incident represents a new and dangerous level of cancel culture
• We've not yet heard from Kimmel directly

Michelle Fleury
New York business correspondent

The left may be describing this as an unprecedented attack on free speech but the pressure on businesses is something we've seen before.

Much like the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel's removal also involves a company in the middle of a merger that requires approval from the FCC. And the Trump administration has a track record of using pressure over businesses to get what it wants.

The country's largest local television company, Nexstar wants to do a $6.2 billion mega merger with rival, Tegna. The deal flouts current anti-trust laws and requires the FCC to re-write ownership rules. So it needs to be on Trump's good side.

After the FCC chairman called for action from affiliate groups over Kimmel's comments, Nexstar took the Trump critic off air.

With 33 ABC affiliates in its portfolio (and 13 more potentially from its tie up with Tegna), ABC's parent company Disney had little option but to follow suit.

Image source, Reuters

At the centre of this growing controversy are Jimmy Kimmel's remarks about the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The late-night host claimed on Monday that Donald Trump's "Maga" supporters were "desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it".

But what do we know about the suspect's political beliefs?

The shooting happened on 10 September as Kirk, a Trump ally, spoke at a university campus in Utah. After a 33-hour manhunt, Tyler Robinson, 22, was taken into custody.

On Saturday - before Kimmel's comments - Utah's governor, Republican Spencer Cox, said: "It’s very clear to us and to the investigators that this was a person who was deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology."

On Sunday, Cox added that Robinson’s political ideology was "very different" from his conservative family.

On Tuesday - after Kimmel's comments - more details were released, including that Robinson's mother said her son had started to lean more to the left.

It was also revealed that Robinson messaged his roommate about Kirk after the shooting, saying: "I've had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out."

Public records reviewed by the BBC suggest Robinson had in the past registered as an unaffiliated, or nonpartisan, voter in Utah. His parents are registered Republicans, according to state records.

You can read more about Tyler Robinson here.

A Democratic lawmaker says he is launching an investigation into ABC, the Trump administration, and Sinclair Broadcast Group after Kimmel's suspension.

Congressman Robert Garcia, ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, says the suspension is part of "efforts to censor opposition to the president".

“Every American has a duty to stand up for our First Amendment values," Garcia says.

"We will not be silent as our freedoms are threatened by corrupt schemes and threats. Anyone who is complicit will need to answer to us."

• The First Amendment to the US Constitution protects "freedom of speech" and of the "press".