Part 6/10:
The same logic applies here: local affiliates are responding to their real audience, which consists largely of more conservative viewers and advertisers seeking to reach them. When those stakeholders express dissatisfaction, the economic consequences are swift and decisive.
The Political Battlefield: Charlie Kirk’s Murder and Media’s Response
Jimmy Kimmel's comments about Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative voice, further fueled the controversy. Kimmel alleged that "the MAGA gang" was trying to politicize Kirk’s murder—an incident where Kirk was shot and wounded during a debate—and implied that the suspect was aligned with right-wing extremism. These remarks, seen as inflammatory and inaccurate, prompted immediate backlash from affiliates and advertisers.