US Vice President JD Vance has delivered surprising news via Twitter, announcing that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be replacing Jimmy Kimmel on ABC’s late-night show. Although the network has not officially confirmed this development, Vance made the revelation on Thursday morning. This announcement follows the sudden cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the comedian’s long-standing late-night program.
The decision to end Jimmy Kimmel’s show came swiftly after his monologue earlier in the week, where he mentioned Charlie Kirk, resulting in the broadcaster pulling the plug on his show. ABC, a subsidiary of Disney, cited Kimmel’s comments about right-wing podcaster Charlie Kirk’s death, including his remarks on the suspected killer and his critique of Trump’s response to inquiries about the incident, according to the Irish Star.
Charlie Kirk, the host of the podcast Turning Point, tragically passed away after being shot in the neck at Utah Valley University during The American Comeback Tour’s inaugural event. Officials believe a high-powered rifle was used in the incident, turning Kirk into a symbol for the Republican Party.
In response to the situation, Jimmy highlighted the politicization and grief surrounding Kirk’s death, criticizing President Trump’s handling of the situation. The host expressed concern over the president’s focus on unrelated matters, like the construction of a new ballroom in the White House, rather than the tragic event. This unexpected turn of events has sparked concerns about freedom of expression.
Despite having limited television hosting experience, Marco Rubio is rumored to be stepping into the role vacated by Vice President Vance. However, whether Rubio will host his own show on ABC remains unconfirmed.
In a surprising move, some affiliate stations are planning to air a memorial for Charlie Kirk instead of the usual Jimmy Kimmel Live! broadcast on Friday during its regular time slot.