United News of Bangladesh

ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely after he made comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk sparked backlash and led a group of ABC-affiliated stations to refuse to air the program. Kimmel, who has hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003, drew controversy with remarks on Monday and Tuesday in which he accused “MAGA land” of trying to exploit Kirk’s assassination for political gain. The network acted swiftly after Nexstar Communications Group — which operates 23 ABC affiliates — announced it would pull the show. “Kimmel’s comments are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse,” said Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division. There was no immediate comment from Kimmel, whose contract with ABC expires in May 2026. The network did not specify a reason for the suspension. President Donald Trump praised ABC’s decision on Truth Social, saying, “Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.” He also renewed attacks on other late-night hosts, including Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, calling them “two total losers.” Trump had previously celebrated CBS’s cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show, predicting Kimmel would be “next.” Audience members waiting to attend Wednesday’s taping of Kimmel’s show were informed at the last minute that it had been canceled. “They didn’t tell us what had happened… It seemed a bit extreme,” said Tommy Williams, a would-be audience member from Florida. Kimmel’s monologues this week took aim at Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and FBI Director Kash Patel, accusing them of politicizing Kirk’s death. Critics said he misrepresented facts about the suspected shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who authorities say had recently embraced left-leaning views and LGBTQ rights. The controversy has also drawn in regulators. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, called Kimmel’s remarks “some of the sickest conduct possible” and suggested suspension was justified. A conservative group, the Center for American Rights, filed a complaint accusing ABC of “reckless indifference” and political bias, urging regulators to take action. However, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized the administration’s pressure campaign, warning against “using the weight of government power to suppress lawful expression.” The dispute comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to police speech surrounding Kirk’s killing, with Vance even urging Americans to report those who mocked the assassination. Kimmel has long been a vocal critic of Trump, often clashing with conservatives over his satirical commentary. The indefinite suspension leaves uncertainty over the future of one of ABC’s longest-running late-night franchises.  

The family of a young Utah man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk told authorities he had recently become “more political” and recalled a dinner table conversation where they discussed whether Kirk was spreading hate. Tyler James Robinson, 22, of Washington, Utah, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice, according to a probable cause statement released Friday. A judge has ordered him held without bail. Robinson had recently mentioned Kirk’s scheduled visit to Utah Valley University — about three and a half hours from his family home in southern Utah — which sparked a discussion during dinner about his dislike of Kirk’s views, according to the family. State records show Robinson is registered to vote but unaffiliated with any political party and listed as inactive, having not voted in the last two general elections. His parents, who run a granite countertop business, are registered Republicans. Court records indicate Robinson has no prior criminal history. It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney to speak on his behalf, and his family has not responded to media inquiries. Community in shock Police sealed off Robinson’s street on Friday as reporters gathered outside the family’s home in a suburb of St. George. Window blinds were drawn, and neighbors expressed shock online that someone from their close-knit community had been implicated in such a high-profile killing. Several praised the family for assisting authorities in his arrest. Neighbors described the Robinsons as quiet, outdoors-oriented, and active in family trips. Social media posts from previous years show the family vacationing in Disneyland, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Alaska, and engaging in boating, fishing, zip-lining and target shooting. One 2017 photo shows a smiling young Robinson holding the handles of a .50-caliber heavy machine gun during a visit to a military facility. Robinson had been baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, though church spokesperson Doug Andersen declined to provide further details about his involvement. Neighbors said they hadn’t seen the family at church services for years. Friends and acquaintances described him as intelligent, quiet and reserved. Robinson had been an honor roll student in high school, scoring in the 99th percentile on standardized tests. He earned a scholarship to Utah State University in 2021 but dropped out after one semester. He later enrolled in an electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College in St. George. How the arrest unfolded Utah Governor Spencer Cox said Friday that the breakthrough came when a family member reached out to a family friend with information that Robinson had confessed or implied involvement in the shooting. Authorities then confirmed the tip with a friend of Robinson’s, who showed them messages describing a note Robinson allegedly left behind. Discord, the social media platform where Robinson was reported to have shared gun-related discussions, later clarified that the communications in question were between Robinson’s roommate and another friend after the shooting, not posted by Robinson himself. When Robinson was arrested, authorities said he was wearing clothing consistent with surveillance footage of the shooter. Ammunition recovered at the scene bore engravings referencing meme culture and fascist imagery, according to Governor Cox.

Conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk was shot dead Wednesday at Utah Valley University, authorities said, as federal, state and local law enforcement searched for the unidentified shooter. The gunman, wearing dark clothing, fired from a rooftop at a distance while Kirk spoke during a campus event titled “The American Comeback Tour.” Videos show Kirk reaching up after a single shot struck his neck, as students screamed and fled. Kirk, 31, died at the scene. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox condemned the killing as a “political assassination,” saying the suspect would be held accountable under state law, which includes the death penalty. Two people were briefly detained but later released after authorities found no connection to the shooting. Kirk, a prominent Trump ally, was taking questions on gun violence when the attack occurred. The event, organised by Kirk’s nonprofit Turning Point USA, attracted around 3,000 attendees. Campus police and Kirk’s security were present, and the university evacuated the area immediately. The campus will remain closed until Monday. Former President Donald Trump called Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom” and blamed “radical left” rhetoric for the attack. Tributes and condemnation poured in across party lines, including from Democratic leaders and former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was wounded in a 2011 mass shooting. Conservative activist Charlie Kirk shot dead at Utah college Turning Point USA, founded in 2012 by Kirk and William Montgomery, promotes conservative ideas among college students. Kirk became a key figure in conservative youth politics, supporting Trump’s campaigns and frequently appearing on cable TV to discuss culture and politics. The shooting comes amid rising concern over political violence in the United States, with incidents targeting individuals across ideological lines, including recent attacks on lawmakers and public figures. Local authorities set up multiple active crime scenes around the university and canvassed the surrounding neighborhood for information, while helicopters patrolled overhead. Students described the scene as chaotic, with some trampled or dropping belongings while fleeing. Witness Madison Lattin said she was “so scared, not just for him but for our own safety” and wept upon learning of Kirk’s death.