Jimmy Kimmel controversy makes its way into NYC mayor's race as Mamdani reschedules WABC-TV appearance

[ad_1] 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 Reside!"

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 instructed in a monologue that President Trump's allies had been attempting to make use of Charlie Kirk's assassination for political acquire. ABC introduced it could "indefinitely" pre-empt the present after Federal Communications Fee Chair Brendan Carr stated the community ought to "take motion" over the feedback. Station homeowners 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 swimsuit.

"Final week, Disney/ABC caved to Trump administration stress. Tens of millions of Individuals helped them discover their spine. Whether or not you watch Jimmy Kimmel or not, at this time's choice is a victory at no cost speech. We have reached out to WABC to reschedule the city corridor," Mamdani stated in a social media submit 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 is not the federal government's job to bully speak 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 speak about."

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 cross anybody's odor check and the press should not proceed to offer him a cross," 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 personal property -- amongst different deeply held beliefs that he's attempting 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 had been held in help of free speech Monday. In California, members of native Hollywood unions and native lawmakers gathered to spotlight the influence of the present's suspension on crew members. Over the weekend, folks gathered in Occasions 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 unhealthy publicity or press," Mr. Trump stated whereas getting back from his latest state go to to the UK. "I imply, they're getting a license. I'd suppose possibly their license must be taken away. Will probably be as much as Brendan Carr."

Kathryn Watson contributed to this report.

Jesse Zanger

Jesse Zanger is the managing editor of CBSNewYork.com. Jesse has beforehand labored for the Fox Information Channel and Spectrum Information NY1. He covers regional information across the Tri-State Space, with a selected give attention to breaking information and excessive climate.