America’s late-night television presenters have rallied behind Jimmy Kimmel after ABC indefinitely suspended his programme following remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death.

The network pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from air on Wednesday after the host’s Monday monologue included comments about Mr Kirk’s fatal shooting at Utah Valley University on September 10.

During the segment, Mr Kimmel stated: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the Maga gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it.”

The suspension followed threats from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Brendan Carr, who warned broadcasters during a podcast appearance: “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”

Stephen Colbert launched a fierce defence of his colleague during Thursday’s The Late Show, declaring “Tonight, we are all Jimmy Kimmel” and condemning ABC’s actions as “blatant censorship”.

The Emmy-winning presenter warned that autocratic control “always starts small” and suggested Disney executives were “woefully naïve” if they believed suspending Kimmel would appease the administration.

Seth Meyers devoted his A Closer Look segment to the controversy, opening with satirical praise for President Trump before turning serious.

“It is a privilege and an honour to call Jimmy Kimmel my friend,” Mr Meyers stated, vowing to continue producing his programme “the way we’ve always done it -with enthusiasm and integrity.”

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He characterised the suspension as “a pivotal moment in our democracy” and urged viewers to defend free expression principles.

Jimmy Fallon addressed the controversy during Thursday’s Tonight Show, initially joking about confusion over which Jimmy had been suspended before expressing genuine support for his colleague.

“I do know Jimmy Kimmel, and he’s a decent, funny, and loving guy, and I hope he comes back,” Mr Fallon told his audience, acknowledging widespread industry concerns about censorship.

Elsewhere, Jon Stewart returned to The Daily Show outside his usual Monday slot, presenting a satirical “government-approved” version of the programme complete with gold trim reminiscent of the Trump White House.

The veteran comedian introduced himself as the “patriotically obedient host” and mockingly claimed that critics who view the administration’s actions as “a cynical ploy” or “smokescreen to obscure an unprecedented consolidation of power” were mistaken, adding: “Not me, though… I think it’s great.”

Support has continued from across Hollywood, with David Letterman condemning the suspension as “misery” during a Thursday panel discussion, warning that “sooner or later, everyone is going to be touched” by authoritarian control.

The veteran presenter, who hosted The Late Show for three decades, characterised the situation as “managed media” and declared it “ridiculous” to dismiss someone due to fear of an administration he described as criminal.

“Beating up on these people, rightly or wrongly, accurately or perhaps inaccurately, in the name of comedy — not once were we squeezed by anyone from any government agency, let alone the dreaded FCC,” Mr Letterman recalled.

The suspension has sparked fierce debate about political satire’s future on American television, with critics accusing networks of capitulating to government pressure, whilst President Trump celebrated the decision on Truth Social.

Despite the furore, President Trump has remained unswayed in his criticism of Mr Kimmel and has continued to applaud the decision to take him off air.

The president branded Mr Kimmel a “whack job” with “no talent” before praising Mr Carr and the FCC for their conduct.

“I would think maybe their licence should be taken away,” President Trump said, referring to the broadcaster ABC.

He described Carr as “outstanding” and a “tough guy”, saying the chair of the broadcast regulator “loves our country”.