Jimmy Kimmel controversy makes its method into NYC mayor’s race as Mamdani reschedules WABC-TV look

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic frontrunner within the race for New York Metropolis mayor, stated Monday he wouldn’t take part in an upcoming city corridor on WABC-TV, citing ABC’s choice to pre-empt “Jimmy Kimmel Stay!” 

Mamdani’s announcement got here hours earlier than the Walt Disney Firm stated Kimmel will return to air as of Tuesday, after which Mamdani stated he would go forward and reschedule his look. 

Kimmel was taken off the air final week after he steered in a monologue that President Trump’s allies have been making an attempt to make use of Charlie Kirk’s assassination for political achieve. ABC introduced it might “indefinitely” pre-empt the present after Federal Communications Fee Chair Brendan Carr stated the community ought to “take motion” over the feedback. Station house owners Nexstar — which wants the FCC to approve a deal to buy rival Tegna — and Sinclair each stated they’d pull the present indefinitely earlier than ABC adopted go well with.

“Final week, Disney/ABC caved to Trump administration strain. Hundreds of thousands of Individuals helped them discover their spine. Whether or not you watch Jimmy Kimmel or not, as we speak’s choice is a victory without spending a dime speech. We have reached out to WABC to reschedule the city corridor,” Mamdani stated in a social media publish Monday night. 

“I’m withdrawing from an ABC city corridor that was scheduled to happen this Thursday,” Mamdani stated when he made his preliminary announcement earlier Monday. “It isn’t the federal government’s job to bully discuss present hosts off of the air. It’s not the federal government’s choice to inform us what we are able to and can’t discuss.”

A spokesperson for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo blasted Mamdani’s choice to not take part within the city corridor. 

“ABC suspending Kimmel was a giant mistake, however refusing to speak to native reporters due to the actions of their mum or dad firm should not go anybody’s scent take a look at and the press should not proceed to present him a go,” the spokesperson stated. “Because the major, Mamdani has been working from reporters and refusing to reply direct questions on his previous marketing campaign pledge to decriminalize prostitution, his refusal to apologize for calling the NYPD racist and his vow to grab the technique of manufacturing — i.e. abolish non-public property — amongst different deeply held beliefs that he’s making an attempt to maintain a lid on earlier than election day. He cannot phrase salad his method out of this one.” 

amNewYork was first to report Mamdani’s plan to drag out of Thursday’s city corridor.

Rallies have been held in assist of free speech Monday. In California, members of native Hollywood unions and native lawmakers gathered to focus on the impression of the present’s suspension on crew members. Over the weekend, folks gathered in Instances Sq. for a free speech rally to denounce ABC’s suspension of Kimmel. 

President Trump final week additionally floated revoking TV broadcast licenses for networks that cowl him negatively. 

“They provide me solely dangerous publicity or press,” Mr. Trump stated whereas coming back from his latest state go to to the UK. “I imply, they’re getting a license. I might assume perhaps their license must be taken away. It is going to be as much as Brendan Carr.” 

Kathryn Watson

contributed to this report.