Charlie Kirk special dropped: Why did Sinclair pull tribute last minute? Aired 'Family Fued' instead

Sinclair Broadcast Group pulled a highly publicised Charlie Kirk special just minutes before it was due to air, opting instead to broadcast a rerun of ABC’s “Family Feud” on its stations late on Friday night.

The decision came amid ongoing controversy over comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks about Kirk’s alleged assassin.The special, which had been promoted for days, was removed at 11:24 p.m. Eastern, six minutes before its scheduled start. Sinclair announced that the programme would instead be available on The National News Desk’s YouTube channel. “Tonight, Sinclair will continue to air ABC network programming as scheduled in the late-night time period,” the company said, ensuring viewers could still access ABC content while providing full access to the Kirk special online.The last-minute cancellation of the Kirk special drew a wave of criticism on social media. Users highlighted the abrupt timing, noting that Sinclair had promised earlier in the week to air the programme in Kimmel’s late-night slot, only to pull it ten minutes before broadcast. At 11:24 p.m. Eastern, Sinclair stations switched to ABC’s “Family Feud” rerun instead, prompting speculation about what occurred behind the scenes with ABC.

Commenters were scathing about the production, with one user writing: “No wonder @WeAreSinclair didn’t air this ‘tribute’, seems like a highschooler made it.”

The move follows a wave of backlash triggered by Kimmel’s Monday monologue, in which he accused conservatives of “reaching new lows” while discussing 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson, charged with Kirk’s murder. Kimmel was criticised for seemingly suggesting Robinson had MAGA ties, although prosecutors later reaffirmed the suspect’s left-wing connections.

Kimmel had intended to clarify his comments on Wednesday’s episode, but Disney suspended the show indefinitely before he could respond.Sinclair, which operates 30 ABC affiliates, had initially announced it would air a tribute to Kirk in Kimmel’s late-night slot. Vice Chairman Jason Smith called Kimmel’s remarks “inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” saying the network would not reinstate the show until “formal discussions” with ABC addressed professionalism and accountability.

Sinclair also urged Kimmel to apologise to the Kirk family and donate to both the family and Turning Point USA, the conservative group founded by Kirk.Nexstar Media Group, another major ABC affiliate operator, similarly announced it would stop broadcasting Kimmel’s programme. Broadcasting chief Andrew Alford said Kimmel’s comments were “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse” and that continuing the show was “not in the public interest.”The suspension and subsequent network actions have drawn attention beyond the media industry. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr welcomed Disney’s decision, while former President Donald Trump described it as “great news for America.” Conservatives debated whether the move represented government overreach, while liberal critics accused Disney of yielding to political pressure, with Representative Daniel Goldman calling it “folding to a wannabe mob boss and his authoritarian goons.

”The abrupt last-minute withdrawal of the Kirk special highlights the ongoing tensions between media corporations, political figures, and public opinion, leaving viewers to access the content online rather than on traditional television.Last-minute pull: Sinclair drops Charlie Kirk special; airs ABC rerun instead