http://www.whittier360newsnetwork.com/

Whittier 360 News Network, 7238 Milton Avenue, Whittier, CA (2025)

09/26/2025

NATO Warns Russia as Tensions Escalate: Risk of War Now Real

By Rebecca Canales | Whittier 360 News Network
September 25, 2025

A Dangerous New Phase

Tensions between NATO and Russia have surged to levels unseen since the Cold War, with a wave of Russian airspace incursions, provocative rocket firings in the Pacific, and emergency military preparations in Washington fueling fears of open conflict.

In recent weeks, Russian drones and fighter jets have crossed into Polish, Estonian, and Romanian airspace. NATO allies now say they are prepared to respond “with full force” if the violations continue — even if that means shooting down Russian aircraft. Moscow has warned such a move could mean “war.”

At the same time, U.S. airlines flying trans-Pacific routes were forced to divert after Russia fired rockets in the Bering Sea corridor near Alaska. And in a striking development, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has summoned all American generals and admirals to an emergency meeting in Virginia, an unusual move that has deepened speculation about crisis planning.

What Happened in Europe

Poland: Earlier this month, at least 20 Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace, with some shot down by NATO and Polish interceptors.

Estonia: On September 19, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace for about 12 minutes. European envoys in Moscow later concluded the violation was a deliberate tactic ordered by Russian commanders.

Romania/Moldova: Additional Russian drones were reported in the region, adding to the sense of coordinated pressure on NATO’s eastern flank.

Russia denies wrongdoing, claiming “navigational errors” and “equipment failures,” but NATO governments increasingly view the incursions as intentional provocations.

NATO’s Warning

Diplomats from Britain, France, and Germany delivered a blunt warning in Moscow: NATO is ready to respond to any further violations with decisive force. That includes the possibility of shooting down intruding Russian jets.

Such language marks a dramatic escalation. Until now, NATO had focused on escorting Russian aircraft out of allied airspace rather than engaging them directly.

Russia’s Moves in the Pacific

Separately, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued emergency notices after Russia announced rocket firings in the North Pacific, directly under civilian air routes linking Asia and North America. Airlines were forced to reroute flights by hundreds of miles, underscoring Moscow’s ability to disrupt civilian traffic far from Europe.

The Pentagon’s Shock Gathering

Adding to the unease, Defense Secretary Hegseth ordered an unprecedented gathering of America’s top military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico. Hundreds of generals and admirals are expected to attend, but the Pentagon has declined to reveal the agenda.

Analysts believe the meeting could involve planning for contingencies if NATO and Russia move closer to open war.

Whittier 360 Assessment: How Likely Is War?

At this moment, a deliberate, declared war remains less likely than continued brinkmanship — but the risks are rising.

Near term (next 2 weeks): The chance of a direct NATO–Russia clash is estimated at 25–35%, mostly hinging on whether another incursion results in a NATO shoot-down.

Medium term (2–8 weeks): If a shoot-down occurs, limited tit-for-tat actions (cyberattacks, drone strikes, symbolic military moves) are likely, with a 10–20% chance of escalation into broad war.

Triggers that could spark war:

NATO shoots down a Russian jet and Moscow retaliates.

Civilian casualties on NATO soil from Russian strikes.

Severe cyberattacks on NATO infrastructure.

Russian nuclear signaling beyond routine bomber patrols.

For now, the most likely outcome is a tense standoff, with both sides posturing and probing without firing the first shot. But the margin for error is shrinking. A single miscalculation could set off a chain of escalation that neither side can easily control.

The Bigger Picture

What we are witnessing is the shift from hybrid warfare — drones, cyber strikes, airspace testing — toward the edge of direct confrontation. NATO is signaling it has drawn a line. Russia is daring the Alliance to enforce it.

If the next violation ends in a shoot-down, the world could wake up to the most serious NATO–Russia crisis since the Cuban Missile standoff of 1962.

Whittier 360 will continue monitoring NATO, Pentagon, and European sources for developments.

09/26/2025

Many of you arguing about whether America should return to traditional gender roles don't seem to understand what traditional gender roles actually were.

For one you seem to think that in the 19th century ALL WOMEN stayed home and did nothing but cook, clean, and be ready for s*x. That's actually not how it worked. Especially in the Midwest and West.

Even if a woman is inclined to just stay home and do those things and nothing else, she would be under heavy intense pressure from society to work outside the home.

So many people have no idea what traditional gender roles were in many parts of the US and trying to return to those would be extremely difficult in today's society. You would have to change modern social values and that will take some heavy investment into reverse social engineering. But you would also have to balance it. For one thing, women who choose to stay home today and just do all the cooking and cleaning are often considered by society to be lazy and irresponsible. That's how such women will be judged by society today.

The only thing people who discuss these things ever get correct is that the man is always the head of the household spiritually. But men who talk about going back to traditional roles don't even know what those are, let alone how difficult that would be even for women who do want to do that.

09/23/2025

Jimmy Kimmel Returns to ABC Tonight — With No Apology, Contract Changes, and Possible Donation Tied to Turning Point USA

By Rebecca Canales
Founder & CEO, Whittier 360 News Network

ABC Confirms Return After “Thoughtful Discussions”

Jimmy Kimmel Live! returns to the ABC airwaves tonight (Tuesday, Sept. 23) after a weeklong suspension sparked by the host’s remarks about the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

ABC explained the reinstatement as the result of “thoughtful discussions” with Kimmel — a phrase that industry insiders read as signaling behind-the-scenes negotiations and concessions rather than a simple return.

What’s in the Deal

Based on multiple reports and sources close to the talks, the conditions shaping Kimmel’s return appear to include:

No Apology: Kimmel is expected to address the controversy in his opening monologue tonight but will not apologize. Sources confirm this is intentional, marking a line he refused to cross.

Donation Discussion: Sinclair and others demanded a “meaningful personal donation” to Turning Point USA or a related charity. Sources now suggest a donation “in the name of Turning Point USA” was discussed as part of negotiations, though it remains unclear whether this has been finalized, or whether it comes from Kimmel personally, from ABC/Disney, or in some other form.

Contract Adjustments: Kimmel reportedly secured new contract protections to prevent another indefinite suspension without clearer terms and to preserve more autonomy in his role.

Editorial Oversight: While not confirmed, ABC executives are expected to monitor politically charged content more closely, especially in monologues touching on sensitive national events.

Sinclair and Nexstar Still Refusing

Despite negotiations, Sinclair Broadcast Group has announced its ABC affiliates will not air Jimmy Kimmel Live! tonight, replacing it with expanded local news. Sinclair’s leadership has insisted on both an apology and a donation, and with Kimmel refusing the former, they are standing firm.

Nexstar Media Group has likewise preempted Kimmel “for the foreseeable future.” As of press time, it has not announced any change in that stance.

Together, these groups represent nearly 24% of U.S. television households, meaning close to a quarter of the country will not see Kimmel tonight via their local ABC affiliate.

A Red–Blue Media Divide

This blackout underscores America’s political geography:

Blue Strongholds Safe: Viewers in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston, and other large metros served by ABC owned-and-operated stations will get Kimmel as usual. These are Democratic-leaning markets where ABC/Disney controls distribution directly.

Red & Swing States Shut Out: Sinclair and Nexstar dominate in mid-sized and smaller markets across the South, Midwest, and Mountain West — regions that lean Republican or are political battlegrounds. That means viewers in many conservative-leaning states will miss Kimmel unless they turn to streaming or digital clips.

The result is a kind of broadcast paradox:

In raw population numbers, Kimmel’s reach is intact.

In geographic terms, he has vanished from much of the country.

In practice, Kimmel’s audience is divided along political lines: blue states will still see him, red states largely will not.

What to Watch For Tonight

Monologue — Expect acknowledgment of the controversy, but no apology. Tone and word choice will reveal how tightly ABC is managing the fallout.

Donation Clarity — If Kimmel mentions a donation or charity in the Turning Point USA orbit, it would confirm speculation about that part of the deal.

Affiliate Fallout — If Nexstar or Sinclair reverse course in the coming days, that would suggest further concessions or new business arrangements.

Conclusion

Jimmy Kimmel returns to late night tonight under a cloud of negotiation. With no apology, a possible donation tied to Turning Point USA, and new contract protections, ABC and its affiliates are navigating one of the most politically charged controversies in modern late-night television.

For now, Kimmel’s voice will be heard in Los Angeles and other blue-leaning metros — but millions of viewers in red-state America will see local news instead of late-night comedy.

09/22/2025

Jimmy Kimmel to Return to ABC Tuesday Night After Suspension, but Questions Remain Over Affiliate Support

By Rebecca Canales
Founder & CEO, Whittier 360 News Network

ABC Reinstates Kimmel After "Thoughtful Discussions"

ABC announced late Monday that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to the air on Tuesday night, ending a suspension that followed Kimmel’s controversial remarks about the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. The network said the decision came after “thoughtful discussions” with Kimmel — a carefully chosen phrase that strongly suggests some form of private agreement was reached between the late-night host and ABC/Disney.

The network did not disclose details, but industry observers note that such language is often used when concessions or assurances are made behind closed doors.

Sinclair and Nexstar Still Hold Out

The uncertainty now shifts to ABC’s major affiliate groups. Both Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group previously announced that they would preempt Kimmel’s show indefinitely, demanding conditions ranging from a public apology to a charitable donation in Kirk’s name.

So far, neither group has publicly reversed its position, raising doubts that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will air in many markets where Sinclair or Nexstar own the ABC affiliate.

For viewers in Whittier and greater Los Angeles, however, the show is expected to run as scheduled on KABC-TV (ABC7 Los Angeles), since that station is directly owned and operated by ABC/Disney, not by an outside affiliate.

Possible Elements of a Behind-the-Scenes Deal

While ABC has not revealed the specifics of Kimmel’s reinstatement, several scenarios are possible based on industry precedent:

1. On-Air Statement — Kimmel may issue an apology or statement of regret during his Tuesday monologue.

2. Editorial Oversight — ABC executives could be reviewing monologue scripts in advance to avoid further controversies.

3. Tone Adjustment — Kimmel may privately agree to reduce overtly political material or avoid inflammatory commentary.

4. Goodwill Gesture — A donation or private outreach to Kirk’s family or Turning Point USA may have been offered off-air.

5. Business Concessions — ABC may be negotiating separately with Sinclair and Nexstar, offering ad rate adjustments or programming support to entice them back.

Until Tuesday’s broadcast airs, the exact nature of the “thoughtful discussions” remains speculative.

What to Watch For on Tuesday Night

Does Kimmel address the controversy directly? If so, the terms likely included an on-air statement.

Does the tone of his monologue shift? A lighter, more cautious approach would suggest editorial oversight.

Do affiliates change course? If Sinclair or Nexstar suddenly air the program after vowing not to, business concessions are probably involved.

Conclusion

ABC’s move to reinstate Kimmel highlights the delicate balance networks face: protecting their talent’s creative freedom while also satisfying advertisers, affiliates, and viewers in a deeply polarized political climate.

For now, what exactly Kimmel agreed to — and whether it will be enough to bring reluctant affiliates back into the fold — remains one of the biggest questions in late-night television.

The answers may become clear only after the first jokes land Tuesday night.

09/22/2025

Erika Kirk’s Forgiveness Becomes the Defining Global Narrative After Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

Whittier 360 News Network – By Rebecca Canales

The memorial service for Charlie Kirk was expected to be remembered for the presence of President Donald Trump, a stadium filled with supporters, and the thunder of political speeches. Instead, the words of Kirk’s widow, Erika, are what carried across the nation — and around the world.

Standing before thousands, Erika turned not to anger or vengeance, but to forgiveness. “I forgive him,” she said of her husband’s assassin. Those three words quickly became the lead headline on both ABC and FOX News, a rare moment where networks on opposite ends of America’s political spectrum found themselves telling the same story.

Soon, others followed. Google News and YouTube’s news highlights pushed the phrase to the top of feeds worldwide. Newsweek framed it as “Erika Kirk Rejects Revenge for Husband,” and in an exclusive interview, Erika went further, stating she opposes seeking the death penalty for the man charged with the assassination.

By Sunday evening, the story had spread beyond America. The BBC featured it prominently, and USA Today joined in, cementing forgiveness as the global lens through which this tragedy is being seen.

A Rare Bipartisan Narrative

In an era of sharp division, the reaction to Erika’s words has been strikingly bipartisan. Conservative commentators praised her faith and courage, while liberal voices acknowledged the moral weight of rejecting revenge in the wake of violence. Across political lines, her stance was described as rare, almost shocking in its clarity.

Forgiveness Overshadows Politics

President Trump spoke for more than an hour, reflecting on his administration’s current actions and Charlie Kirk’s role within it. Yet his words were quickly overshadowed. What endured in news coverage was Erika’s moral declaration, not the political message from the stage.

This may mark a shift in how Charlie Kirk’s legacy is remembered. Instead of being defined by his sharp rhetoric and controversial activism, his story may now be framed by his widow’s decision to forgive — a message of grace in the face of political violence.

International Impact

The global press has treated Erika’s words as more than personal. They are being presented as a potential lesson for America itself: a country polarized by rage and revenge, suddenly confronted with an act of forgiveness that transcends partisan lines.

While questions remain about the investigation, future security, and the political consequences of the assassination, Erika Kirk’s decision to forgive — and her call to reject the death penalty — has already become the dominant narrative.

It is not the assassin’s name, nor the political debates of the moment, but Erika’s words — “I forgive him” — that history may remember.

09/21/2025

A Nation Pauses: Inside the Charlie Kirk Memorial—Forgiveness, Revival, and a Movement’s Next Chapter

By Rebecca Canales
Founder & CEO, Whittier 360 News Network

State Farm Stadium in Glendale filled to the rafters today as a grieving widow, a former president, members of Congress, and tens of thousands of Americans gathered to honor Charlie Kirk. What unfolded felt less like a conventional memorial and more like a national revival—part civic ceremony, part altar call—broadcast live by nearly every major U.S. network and multiple international outlets.

The Scale: Wall-to-Wall Coverage, Presidential-Level Security

The Secret Service treated the day like a presidential event. A temporary flight restriction centered on the stadium reflected VIP movements and the presence of top officials. Nearly every major American network—ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Fox News, NewsNation, PBS, C-SPAN, plus local affiliates—carried the service live; GB News in the U.K. and channels in India streamed it as well. (MSNBC was the notable exception.) Livestream chats were disabled across platforms to preserve a respectful atmosphere amid ongoing reports that far-left agitators vandalized off-site memorials in the U.S. and U.K.

Inside, the scene was electric. Attendees filled every visible section; President Donald J. Trump and other dignitaries took their seats to thunderous applause. Outside, overflow crowds gathered, underscoring that this was a people’s memorial as much as a dignitary-laden one.

Erika Kirk’s Defining Moment: “I Forgive Him”

The day’s most indelible image belonged to Erika Kirk. Trembling and in tears, she invoked Christ’s words from the cross and extended forgiveness to the man who killed her husband: “That young man… I forgive him.” She followed with a stark, healing charge: “The answer to hate is not hate, but love.”

Erika welcomed first-time Bible readers and churchgoers who came forward this week, then charged pastors to receive and shepherd them. She spoke directly to men—“Your wives are not your slaves, your employees, or your servants—they are your full partners”—and vowed that “No assassin will stop us from upholding [our Bill of Rights] freedoms.” She closed with a simple benediction: “God bless America.”

A Prophet—And More

From the stage, speakers declared Charlie Kirk “one of America’s greatest prophets”—not a prophet of wrath, but of repentance and return to God. As the service progressed, they placed him alongside the Founders, Martin Luther King Jr., and John F. Kennedy as a great political leader. One line circulating in the stadium—“Charlie Kirk was America’s Turning Point”—captured how mourners are interpreting his life and death as a hinge in our national story.

Continuity and Expansion: Erika to Lead, A Thousand Pulpits to Rise

Turning Point announced Erika Kirk will succeed her late husband as CEO, signaling continuity with resolve. In the most ambitious reveal of the day, she said Turning Point USA Faith will ordain thousands of pastors nationwide—an unmistakable shift from campus-centric activism toward a movement that will also plant deep roots in pulpits and congregations. The spiritual acceleration was greeted like a commissioning service.

Trump’s Closing: Tribute, Policy, Revival

President Trump delivered the final address, mixing policy notes with personal tribute before returning squarely to Charlie. He consoled Kirk’s father—“Your son brought more good into the world in ten years than most people do in a lifetime”—and described the atmosphere as an “old-time revival.” He noted House members in attendance and told the packed stadium—and overflow across the street—that the movement Charlie catalyzed will press forward.

In a signature flourish, Trump contrasted his own language with Charlie’s restraint: where Kirk often said “the left,” Trump called them “the radical left”—a reminder of two complementary voices that animated the same coalition: Charlie’s evangelist-organizer tone and Trump’s combative standard-bearer style.

Bipartisan Recognition: Charlie Kirk Day

On Capitol Hill, every Senate Democrat joined Republicans to establish Charlie Kirk Day on October 14. In the House, more than three-quarters of Democrats voted yes, a tiny minority opposed, and dozens expressed conflicted feelings—an acknowledgement of how rapidly his influence has moved from partisan debate to national memory.

A Country at a Crossroads

The memorial revealed two Americas. Inside the stadium—and across living rooms worldwide—millions paused to grieve, pray, and, for many, step into churches for the first time. Outside some memorial sites, a small but aggressive fringe defaced tributes with hateful graffiti. In the middle stands a watching nation, deciding whether this moment will be met with bitterness or with the forgiveness and love Erika modeled.

Given the size and composition of today’s crowd, new voter registrations were widely reported at the venue. Official party breakdowns will take weeks to publish, but the civic energy was impossible to miss. Together with the spiritual expansion of Turning Point, the aftershocks of this day are likely to reach well into 2026 and beyond.

Why This Matters—Even If You’d Never Heard of Him

Charlie Kirk was, in life, familiar to a committed slice of Americans and Britons. In death, his name has become a global headline. That dynamic isn’t new in history: some lives are understood only after they end. Today’s near-universal broadcast, the bipartisan holiday, the forgiveness heard around the world, and the immediate move to build thousands of pulpits suggest Kirk’s legacy has migrated from personality to patrimony—from a man to a mantle.

The Last Notes

As “America the Beautiful” swelled, President Trump invited Erika back to the stage for an embrace. They exited together to a standing ovation while the hymn continued and the crowd slowly filed out—an image that condensed the day’s themes into a single tableau: grief and grace, strength and tenderness, nation and church, memory and mandate.

A shift is happening in America. Whether you agreed with Charlie Kirk in life or are only now learning his name, the choices we make from here—about forgiveness, love, liberty, and how we treat one another—will measure his true legacy in the United States and the world.

09/21/2025

Comments disparaging Charlie Kirk are not welcome here. They do not represent the spirit of Whittier and will not be tolerated. Any attempts to divide on the basis of race or to demean the memory of the deceased will be removed, and the commenter will be banned.

09/21/2025

Charlie Kirk Memorial Declares Him a Prophet and Political Leader on the Level of the Founders, MLK, and JFK

By Rebecca Canales
Founder & CEO, Whittier 360 News Network

The memorial service for Charlie Kirk, held in Phoenix, Arizona, was unlike any in recent American memory. The Secret Service treated the event as though it were a presidential inauguration. The FAA imposed a no-fly zone over the stadium. And nearly every major American network — from Fox News, CNN, NBC, CBS, and ABC to PBS, NewsNation, and C-SPAN — carried the service live. Only MSNBC was absent, making it the lone major broadcaster not to join the nationwide coverage.

International attention followed as well. GB News in the United Kingdom livestreamed the event, as did broadcasters in India. The Independent (UK) and other international outlets embedded the memorial stream for their audiences, marking Kirk’s passage from a domestic figure into a global story.

From Humble Activist to Prophet

During the service, speakers declared Kirk to be “the greatest American prophet of our time.” Not the kind who calls down wrath or condemnation, but the kind who urges a people to turn back to God in repentance. It was a powerful recognition of a man who, in life, was known mainly within conservative and Christian circles in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Now, in death, Kirk’s reach has expanded far beyond his lifetime. Millions are encountering his words for the first time, and reports continue to surface of people converting to Christianity after hearing his sermons, speeches, and testimony.

National Recognition

The political world has also responded in a way few could have predicted. In Congress, every Democrat in the Senate joined Republicans in supporting legislation to establish October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day. In the House, over three-quarters of Democrats voted with Republicans to approve the holiday, with only a small minority in opposition. At least 38 Democrats openly expressed conflicted feelings — torn between past political differences with Kirk and the recognition of his influence on millions of Americans.

This kind of bipartisan consensus has become rare in Washington. The vote reveals that Kirk’s legacy has transcended partisan divides and entered the realm of national memory.

Elevated to the Pantheon of American Leaders

The memorial did not stop at calling Kirk a prophet. In a striking declaration, speakers placed him in the company of the nation’s greatest political leaders — the Founding Fathers, Martin Luther King Jr., and President John F. Kennedy.

To make such a comparison is extraordinary. The Founders laid the nation’s foundation. King reshaped its moral conscience. Kennedy embodied its modern hopes and aspirations. By naming Kirk alongside them, today’s memorial placed him in the lineage of those who both defined American identity and redirected its course.

It is a recognition that Kirk’s work was not only spiritual, but also political. He built institutions, mobilized movements, and influenced the direction of American thought in ways that will reverberate for generations.

Impact on America and the World

The consequences of this moment are still unfolding, but the implications are profound. Within America, Charlie Kirk is no longer remembered solely as an activist or even as a prophet. By placing him in the same company as the Founding Fathers, Martin Luther King Jr., and John F. Kennedy, today’s memorial elevated him to the level of leaders who shaped the very fabric of the nation.

For the United States, this recognition may mark the beginning of a new civic tradition. Just as the Founders gave the nation its birth, King called it to justice, and Kennedy inspired a generation, Kirk is now being remembered as a figure who called Americans to faith, unity, and renewal.

Globally, this shift has not gone unnoticed. International coverage — from the United Kingdom to India and beyond — shows that Kirk’s legacy is now part of a worldwide conversation about leadership, democracy, and moral clarity. For allies and critics alike, his name now carries symbolic weight as a representative of America’s struggle to reconcile freedom, faith, and identity in the 21st century.

For those who had never heard of Charlie Kirk until now, the scale of recognition raises new questions: What kind of private citizen could become, in death, a prophet, a philosopher, and a political leader placed beside America’s greatest icons? The answers are still being written, but the transformation of his legacy is already reshaping the way the world sees America itself.

A Legacy Recast for History

Charlie Kirk began as a private citizen, known to only a small segment of America and Britain. In life, he was seen by many as a sharp activist, a Christian voice, and a movement builder. But in death, his legacy has expanded far beyond what he or his followers could have imagined.

At his memorial, Kirk was not only remembered as a prophet who called America to repentance, but as a political leader placed in the company of the Founders, Martin Luther King Jr., and John F. Kennedy. This elevation marks a transformation of his name from partisan organizer to national icon, from activist to philosopher, from private citizen to prophet and statesman.

Kirk’s impact will not be measured simply by the growth of Turning Point USA or the votes cast in his honor, but by the way millions are now turning to faith, by the bipartisan recognition of his place in American history, and by the global attention his memorial drew. His legacy has become part of the ongoing story of America — a story of freedom, faith, sacrifice, and the enduring power of conviction.

09/20/2025

Breaking News: Charlie Kirk Day Approved by U.S. House of Representatives

Saturday, September 20, 2025 — The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to approve the Charlie Kirk Day resolution, following the Senate’s unanimous passage earlier this week.

The resolution designates October 14, 2025 — Charlie Kirk’s birthday — as a federal holiday and National Day of Remembrance. The measure now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk, where he is expected to sign it into law.

Today’s House vote was marked by political division. Twenty-two Democrats walked out of the chamber, refusing to discuss or vote on the measure. In addition, four Republicans did not cast a vote. Despite those actions, the resolution passed with a simple majority.

Once signed into law, Charlie Kirk Day will carry the same legal weight as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and other federal holidays. This means that every October 14, federal offices, banks, schools, and most state and local governments across the country will close in observance.

The resolution honors Kirk’s life and legacy, citing his dedication to civic engagement, public service, and freedom of expression. It also serves as a national statement against political violence in the wake of his assassination earlier this year.

09/20/2025

ABC Suspends Jimmy Kimmel: What Really Happened

By Rebecca Canales
Founder & CEO, Whittier 360 News Network

ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely has sparked a wave of competing narratives from the political left and right. The left claims Kimmel was silenced by pressure from former President Trump. The right says station owners and viewers forced the network’s hand. The truth, as usual, is more complex — and it is important to separate fact from rumor.

What Kimmel Said

On September 15, 2025, Jimmy Kimmel opened his late-night show by claiming that MAGA supporters were responsible for Charlie Kirk’s assassination, asserting that the killer, Tyler Robinson, was “100 percent MAGA” and that “the left had nothing to do with it.” This contradicted law enforcement findings, which indicated Robinson had drifted toward more leftist ideology and expressed support for LGBTQ and trans rights.

Station Owners Push Back

Two major groups that own ABC affiliates — Nexstar Communications and Sinclair Broadcast Group — objected strongly to Kimmel’s comments. Nexstar announced it would pull the show from its stations “for the foreseeable future,” and Sinclair demanded an on-air apology plus a donation to Kirk’s family and Turning Point USA before Kimmel could return.

FCC Comments and Limits

Around the same time, FCC Chair Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, praised the networks for taking action and suggested there was a “strong case” for holding ABC and Disney accountable for spreading misinformation.
It’s important to clarify: the FCC cannot punish “misinformation.” Under the First Amendment, false or misleading statements are protected speech unless they directly incite violence, defame someone, or involve fraud. Carr’s remarks had no legal force. He was expressing his opinion, not exercising government power.

Business Pressures at Disney

Behind the scenes, ABC’s parent company Disney was balancing multiple pressures:

Affiliate stations threatening to drop Kimmel’s show.

Political scrutiny with major Disney/Nexstar deals pending before the FCC.

Advertisers reportedly uneasy about controversy.

Kimmel’s ratings, which had declined in recent years after once topping the late-night field with younger viewers.

These factors made Kimmel more vulnerable. According to reporting from the San Francisco Chronicle, Sinclair demanded an apology and donation; when Kimmel refused and vowed to continue his criticism of MAGA, ABC suspended the show indefinitely.

Cutting Through the Myths

Not censorship by Trump alone. The FCC Chair had no legal power to silence Kimmel.

Not solely about ratings. While declining viewership weakened his position, it was the affiliate backlash and business pressure that forced ABC’s hand.

Not a First Amendment violation. The Constitution protects against direct government censorship. ABC and its affiliates are private companies making business decisions — but the heavy political pressure surrounding those decisions raises serious questions.

The Big Picture

What happened to Jimmy Kimmel is best understood not as a government gag order or a ratings-only issue, but as the intersection of business, politics, and public outrage. ABC made a corporate decision after affiliates and advertisers rebelled, while government voices added political pressure without direct authority.

In a democracy, it’s vital to recognize these distinctions. Conspiracy theories thrive when facts are blurred. But the record shows this was about affiliates, advertisers, and business risks — not secret government orders.

Whittier 360 News Network

09/26/2025

09/26/2025

09/23/2025

09/22/2025

09/22/2025

09/21/2025

09/21/2025

09/21/2025

09/20/2025

09/20/2025

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category