Sinclair backs out of airing Charlie Kirk tribute, posts link to YouTube video instead

Sinclair, which is the largest owner of ABC affiliate television stations, after pledging to air a special tribute to Charlie Kirk on Friday evening, backed out of showing the tribute and posted a link to view the tribute to Kirk on YouTube instead.

The Sinclair Broadcast Group made a statement about Jimmy Kimmel's comments regarding the suspect in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, where the left-wing comedian falsely suggested that Tyler Robinson was aligned with the "MAGA gang."

After there was pushback from Sinclair as well as many others, ABC decided that they would pull "Jimmy Kimmel Live" indefinitely. In Sinclair's original statement, the organization stated, "Sinclair's ABC stations will air a special in remembrance of Charlie Kirk this Friday, during Jimmy Kimmel Live's timeslot. The special will also air across all Sinclair stations this weekend. In addition, Sinclair is offering the special to all ABC affiliates across the country."

However, on Friday, when it came time to air the special, Sinclair posted to X, "Tonight, Sinclair will continue to air ABC network programming as scheduled in the late-night time period. The Charlie Kirk special will instead be available on The National News Desk's YouTube channel, ensuring viewers can continue to enjoy ABC programming while also providing full access to the special online."

Kirk was assassinated on September 10 when Tyler Robinson fired a rifle at Utah Valley University campus, striking Kirk in the neck, prosecutors in Utah have said. Robinson reportedly confessed to the crime in a Discord chat to his friends as well as in text messages between himself and his romantic partner, Lance Twiggs, who identifies as transgender. Twiggs was also Robinson's roommate at the time of the assassination.

Robinson has been charged with aggravated murder as well as other counts in the assassination of Charlie Kirk. He is facing the death penalty in the case.