David Letterman Reveals Text Message from Jimmy Kimmel After Suspension: Along with How Other Public Figures Reacted to Kirk’s Death

Letterman on Kimmel’s Suspension

David Letterman revealed that he contacted Jimmy Kimmel after learning ABC suspended the late-night host amid public outrage over Kimmel’s comments about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
On Sept. 18 in New York City at The Atlantic Festival, Letterman said, “I have a message from Jimmy. He was very kind to text me this morning.”
When describing the content of Kimmel’s text to him, Letterman, 78, said that it made him “imagine him up there in his nightshirt, getting his second wind. He’s going to be alright.”

ABC Confirms Indefinite Suspension

On Sept. 17, an ABC spokesperson told NBC News that Jimmy Kimmel Live! “will be pre-empted indefinitely,” i.e., the program will not be aired until further notice, following Kimmel’s Sept. 15 monologue which mentioned Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer, Tyler Robinson.
“The MAGA gang [is] desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,” Kimmel said during the broadcast, accusing those who were using the death for their political benefit.
Robinson, 22, was arrested on Sept. 12 after authorities said he surrendered himself. He is now indicted for aggravated murder related to the fatal shooting of Kirk at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.

Backlash and Fallout

Law enforcement after the arrest of Robinson published alleged text messages in which he referred to the perpetrator of the shooting of Kirk that he “had enough of his hatred”.
The Kimmel’s rant quickly attracted not only political but also regulatory backlash. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr branded the remarks “the sickest conduct possible” shortly after the shooting, in a Sept. 17 interview, warning that the commission “could take action” not only against ABC but also its parent company Disney, such as the withdrawal of the license from local stations.
Just a little while later, Nexstar Media Group Inc., which runs over 200 stations across the US, declared that it was pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live! off its ABC affiliates “for the foreseeable future,” with the Sept. 17 episode being the first one not to be aired.

Kimmel’s Hushed Response and Appeal for Unity

Kimmel, 57, though he has not publicly reacted to the suspension, did send out a sincere message of togetherness on his Instagram account after Kirk passed away.
“Instead of the furious finger-pointing,” he penned on 10th September, “could we for just one day all agree that shooting another human being is the most terrible and vile things?”

How Other Public Figures Reacted to the Death of Kirk

Donald Trump Pays Tribute

Once conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at age 31 while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to share his condolences with a message that came from his heart.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump stated. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us.”

Kristin Chenoweth Reacts

The response of actress Kristin Chenoweth was among the first to the event. Through her Instagram account, she not only shocked but saddened. “Unbelievable, sad, and vile were the words that came to my mind,” the Wicked star wrote on her Instagram Story. “Encouragement to the Kirk family and to the United States as a whole.”

Dr. Phil Pays Tribute

During the Sept. 10, The Real Story Dr. Phil TV personality Dr. Phil commented on the sad news of Kirk’s demise.
“Charlie Kirk, spouse, parent, friend, American, has been assassinated,” he said. “His spirit, zeal and message will still be there. Love, thoughts and prayers for him, his wife and kids.”

Russell Brand Extends His Sympathy

Comedian Russell Brand joined the tributes after posting an Instagram message addressed to the wife of Kirk, Erika Frantzve Kirk, and their two children.
“He was an unusual but good Christian. Dear God, please be a comfort to his family,” Brand said.

Barack Obama Condemns Violence

“Over the last period of time we haven’t known what the motivation was for the individual who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but the repugnant violence of this type is not something that we can find any room for in democracy,” He tweeted on X. “For Charlie’s loved ones, particularly his wife Erika and the two young children, Michelle and I will be holding them in our prayers.”
In addition, Barack Obama also released a statement of support together with Michelle Obama, sending his condolences to Kirk’s family members.

Kamala Harris Calls for Unity

Former Vice President Kamala Harris said she and her husband, Doug Emhoff, felt “deeply disturbed” by the deadly shooting of Charlie Kirk, co-founder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA.
On X, Harris said, “Doug and I are sending our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family.” “I want to be clear: Violence against politics should never find a place in the U.S. I reject this deed, and every one of us must unite to prevent this from triggering more violence.”

Candace Owens Remembers Kirk

Political commentator Candace Owens teared up while recalling her years of friendship and collaboration with Charlie Kirk, which started with their time at Turning Point USA.
In her Sept. 11 YouTube video, Owens said: “There is not one single person in the world, I would wish such a thing on, and Charlie out of all the people with the kindest heart. He was the one who loved his family most. He loved his wife. He loved his country. And he didn’t deserve that ending.”
She went on: “We will be the ones to still have the torch. I will always remember Charlie, of course, because there is no Candace without Charlie. We were both newbies in politics. I really don’t know what else to say except that I am in a lot of pain right now.”

Chris Pratt Sends Prayers

In response to the unfortunate incident, Chris Pratt, the actor of the Guardians of the Galaxy series, also shared his thoughts with Kirk’s family.
On X, Pratt said, “Praying for Charlie Kirk right now, for his wife and young children, for our country. We need God’s grace. God please help us.”

Donald Trump Jr. Pays Emotional Tribute

Donald Trump Jr., 47, shared a heartfelt message about his close bond with Kirk, describing him as more than just a friend.
“Charlie wasn’t just a friend — he was like a little brother to me — and to millions of people around the world,” Trump Jr. wrote on X. “He was a true inspiration.”
He went on to add: “We have lost not only a leader but also a fighter as well as a man whose character and conviction were of a very high standard. Too high. To associate his death with a violent, disgusting, terrible, and evil act that happened to be his life being cut off is something that we cannot even begin to understand. It is very bad and it is very sad.”

Arnold Schwarzenegger Responds

After the death of Kirk, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Terminator actor, and former governor of California, sent his sympathies to the family of the activist.
On X, Schwarzenegger stated, “This is a terrible disaster. Let it also be a little while for everyone to experience their humanity again.”

Rosie O’Donnell Condemns Violence

After the killing of Kirk, the ex-View presenter Rosie O’Donnell expressed in no uncertain terms her disgust with the assault.
On Instagram, she posted a picture of Kirk giving his talk just before the shooting, and wrote: “No just no — do not go down the same path as the killer — it is wrong in every way.”

Bill Clinton Shares His Sympathy

Bill Clinton, the former president, said he was both “saddened and angered” by the killing of Kirk.
“I am longing that this terrible murder causes us all to reflect deeply and renew our commitment to having fiery but peaceful debates,” Clinton penned on X. “The two of us, together with God, will certainly be keeping Erika, their kids, and family, in our prayers.”

Savannah Chrisley Mourns Close Friend

Savannah Chrisley, a star of reality TV, tweeted that upon her longtime friend’s death she “felt numb.”
“Even writing these words is unbelievable to me,” Chrisley commented on her Instagram while sharing a tribute video for Kirk’s influence. “Charlie Kirk was my life changer… he introduced me to the Turning Point family last year, and I was supposed to be with him at every college this fall. Instead, I’m sitting here with a shattered heart, lost for words with grief.”
Her eulogy ended with a moving message, “Sleep well, my friend. God’s kingdom has gotten a fighter.”

Melania Trump Shares Heartfelt Words

Melania Trump, the First Lady, conveyed a touching message of empathy to Charlie Kirk’s kids upon his demise.
She posted on X, that they will “grow up with tales rather than memories, pictures instead of smiles, and quietness where their father’s voice should have been heard. “

Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump Pay Tribute

While recalling Kirk as both a close friend and a key figure in the conservative movement, Ivanka Trump shared her husband Jared Kushner’s message on X.
“Charlie Kirk was a close friend and a special human being. He was instrumental in supporting President Trump’s 2016 campaign, not only creating but also nurturing the MAGA movement,” Jared wrote.
He added, “Most to me, Charlie was the epitome of the best of MAGA. He was always right with his beliefs, loving, and I suppose, inquisitive, and polite. He was overflowing with courage, charm, and integrity. Today the earth has made an early exit from a very long and bright journey with a great loss of a powerful voice,”

Tim Tebow Remembers Kirk

Ex-NFL quarterback Tim Tebow expressed his sorrow that Kirk died, and that he and his wife, Demi-Leigh Tebow, are praying for the family.
“I am still processing the news about the death of Charlie Kirk,” wrote Tebow on X. “Very simply, Charlie was a disciple of Christ, a husband, and a father. He embraced life with enough courage to wrestle a lion and lived his faith boldly, always reaching out to make an eternal impact that went far beyond an ordinary Christian walk.

James Woods Reflects on Friendship

James Woods, the actor, also talked about his relationship with Kirk, remembering their times together.
“I had great fun dining with Charlie but was always concerned for him,” Woods wrote on his social media page. “The left says they want ‘national conversations.’ Charlie Kirk really did one. Not the safest place, the filth’s den, no less, at left-leaning venues, but still hoping that facts and common sense would win.”

President Joe Biden Calls for an End to Violence

President Joe Biden, among others, said that “violence of the sort has no place in the United States of America.”
“It has to come to an end immediately,” Biden stated on X, conveying that he together with First Lady Jill Biden “send our prayers to Charlie Kirk’s family and friends.”

George W. Bush Speaks on Civility

In a statement, former President George W. Bush condemned the assault, saying the violence shocked a place meant to be different from the rest — a sanctuary for open exchange.
“It occurred at a college campus, where the open exchange of opposing ideas should be holy,” Bush wrote. “No more violence and rage to be rejected. People of a different political party are not our enemies; they are our fellow citizens.”
He ended with a prayer: “God bless Charlie Kirk and his family, and may God bring America a nicer tomorrow.”