“Falling Like Dominos”: Jimmy Fallon Suddenly Cancels Appearance After Kimmel’s Show Suspension

Jimmy Fallon has abruptly pulled out of his scheduled talk at the 2025 New York City Business Convention, just hours after ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Wednesday, September 17.

Fallon was set to headline a session titled “Staying On Brand” on Thursday night. But The Fast Company, which organized the event, sent out a last-minute notice:

“Hi all. Unfortunately, Jimmy Fallon is no longer able to attend today’s session of ‘Staying on Brand.’ This exciting session will still proceed with Bozoma St. John at 10:10 a.m. on the main stage with Fast Company’s Jeff Beer.”

No reason was given for Fallon’s sudden withdrawal.

Kimmel’s Suspension Sparks Controversy

Kimmel’s late-night show was yanked after his fiery comments about Republicans’ response to Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

“The MAGA gang is desperately trying to characterize this kid who assassinated Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,” Kimmel said on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Monday night.

He didn’t stop there, mocking Donald Trump’s public reaction with the jab:

“This is how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish.”

Kimmel also took aim at Vice President JD Vance and FBI Director Kash Patel — comments that prompted FCC Chair Brendan Carr to call his remarks “truly sick.” Carr even threatened to hold ABC’s parent company, Disney, accountable, warning:

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”

ABC ultimately suspended the show, a move that earned praise from Trump, who celebrated on Truth Social:

“Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.”

Trump Targets Fallon and Meyers

Not stopping at Kimmel, Trump went after NBC hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers:

“That leaves Jimmy and Seth, two total losers, on Fake News NBC. Their ratings are also horrible. Do it NBC.”

Some speculate Fallon’s cancellation may be an attempt to avoid becoming the next target.

Nexstar’s Role in Pulling Kimmel

According to reports, Nexstar — which owns 23 ABC affiliates — was instrumental in the decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the air. Andrew Alford, Nexstar’s president, said Kimmel’s remarks were “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse.”

Political Tensions Remain High

While Kimmel’s remarks angered the right, Trump’s own response to Kirk’s assassination has drawn backlash. Former President Barack Obama accused Trump of using the tragedy to “further divide the nation.”

Social Media Reacts

Online, reactions are mixed. Some accuse ABC of hypocrisy:

“Seems like those who advocate cancel culture only like it when it goes the other way.”

Others believe Fallon may weather the storm:

“He’s a born entertainer with a fairly reasonable attitude. I think he’ll work to expand his audience.”

Some commenters even see the backlash as ironic — calling it a case of the “cancel culture crowd getting canceled.”