Tech mogul Elon Musk ignited controversy by calling Jimmy Kimmel “disgusting” after the late-night host mocked MAGA supporters’ reaction to Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Kimmel had criticized Trump’s grieving style and accused his base of politicizing the tragedy. Musk’s blunt response came via X, amplifying tensions already inflamed by Kirk’s death and the media’s handling of it. The backlash was swift—and ABC suspended Kimmel’s show indefinitely.
Musk’s rhetoric has grown increasingly militant since Kirk’s killing, repeatedly urging followers to “fight or die.” At a far-right rally in London, he warned “violence is coming,” framing the murder as part of a cultural war. Investigators haven’t confirmed political motives behind Tyler Robinson’s shooting of Kirk, but Musk’s posts have fueled speculation and intensified partisan divides.
Kimmel’s remarks—calling Trump’s mourning “like a 4-year-old grieving a goldfish”—sparked outrage among conservative networks. Nexstar, which syndicates Kimmel’s show, pulled episodes, citing “offensive and insensitive” commentary. ABC followed suit, suspending the show despite Kimmel’s long-standing contract. Trump praised the move, calling Kimmel talentless and predicting his downfall months earlier.
The feud reflects a deeper clash between conservative media figures and liberal entertainers. Kirk, a staunch Trump ally, had long criticized “woke” culture, while Kimmel has consistently mocked Trump’s policies. With Kirk’s death now a flashpoint, both sides are weaponizing grief, satire, and outrage—turning a tragedy into a battleground for influence and ideology.
