Jimmy Kimmel had told Disney bosses he intended to address the outrage over his insensitive Charlie Kirk remarks in a way which would have enraged MAGA fans further just hours before his show was dumped.

The comedian and longtime host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC learned in a phone call on Wednesday afternoon that his 22-year run in the late night timeslot was being canned – at least temporarily.

According to Deadline, Disney Entertainment Co-Charman Dana Walden delivered the crushing news during a lengthy chat about his on-air commentary regarding Kirk’s assassination.

Kirk was tragically shot dead while debating students at the Utah Valley University campus on September 10.

On air the following Monday, Kimmel said the ‘MAGA gang desperately [is] trying to characterize 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 suspected shooter has been identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who was raised in a strictly Republican household and was living with his transgender partner at the time of the attack. Relatives said he had become ‘more political’ in recent times.

Despite this, Kimmel reportedly told bosses he intended to address President Donald Trump’s avid supporters on his next episode, simultaneously calling them out and clarifying what he was initially trying to say on air.

According to CNN, one source said: ‘If Jimmy went on the air, there would have been no way back from that monologue for Jimmy. We didn’t want that. Everyone deeply values him and wants him to come back. But he has to take down the temperature.’

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Jimmy Kimmel had told Disney bosses he intended to address the outrage over his insensitive Charlie Kirk remarks in a way which would have enraged MAGA fans further just hours before his show was dumped

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Kimmel put on a brave face and smiled for the cameras as he stepped out of the car

The article was later amended to remove the first half of the quote.

Disney feared that Kimmel’s comments could be taken as an act of doubling down, which would further inflame tensions with conservative voters, Deadline reported.

There was concerns among powerbrokers that any further action could force them into making a more permanent decision regarding the future of Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

‘Both sides were very businesslike and polite,’ one source said of the discussion between Kimmel and Walden.

Sources have also said Disney hopes to see Kimmel back on the air ‘soon’, but there are concerns about whether the star would be eager to return.

On Thursday afternoon, he was seen for the first time in public on Thursday afternoon, wearing black sunglasses and a navy button down in the drivers seat of his Audi.

While Kimmel put on a brave face and smiled for the cameras as he stepped out of the car, earlier pictures captured a tense moment as he put his head in his hands.

It is understood the pictures of Kimmel were taken at a Century City location where several law firms are based.

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He was spotted for the first time in public on Thursday afternoon, wearing black sunglasses and a navy button down in the drivers seat of his Audi

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Trump supporters were outraged by Kimmel’s comments. Pictured: MAGA supporters booing as they point to media

According to Bloomberg News, Kimmel was preparing to meet with high level executives on Thursday afternoon to discuss the future of his show.

‘It was a heavy day for everybody,’ one insider said about Wednesday’s decision.

Staff of the Jimmy Kimmel Show! were seen packing up their gear from the Los Angeles studio on Wednesday, hours after the host was brutally axed.

Hollywood unions SAG-AFTRA and WGA showed their support for Kimmel — who is a member of both — in light of the news, as per Deadline.

‘SAG-AFTRA condemns the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! Our society depends on freedom of expression. Suppression of free speech and retaliation for speaking out on significant issues of public concern run counter to the fundamental rights we all rely on,’ a statement from the acting guild read.

‘Democracy thrives when diverse points of view are expressed. The decision to suspend airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! is the type of suppression and retaliation that endangers everyone’s freedoms. SAG-AFTRA stands with all media artists and defends their right to express their diverse points of view, and everyone’s right to hear them.’

The late-night host had also poked fun at President Donald Trump’s reaction to the shooting during his segment.

‘This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend,’ he said. ‘This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.’

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Kimmel’s comments were deemed insensitive after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk

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Shortly after ABC announced Kimmel had been suspended, Trump said: ‘The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED’

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Kimmel supporters have protested the suspension of his show and demanded Trump ‘must go’

Shortly after ABC announced Kimmel had been suspended, Trump said: ‘The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED.

‘Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.’

Friends say the comedian is ‘angry but unbowed’ and feels Disney caved to political pressure.

After the announcement, a source told The Daily Mail that Kimmel ‘feels betrayed.’

‘Jimmy has always pushed boundaries, that’s what his audience expects,’ the insider revealed. ‘The idea that one comment could sideline him after everything he’s given ABC — he’s gutted, but he’s not sorry.’