Donald Trump says American late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel was taken off the air because of "bad ratings" as Democrats slam the move as an attack on free speech.

Jimmy Kimmel Live, which has been airing on the Disney-owned American Broadcasting Company (ABC) since 2003, was suddenly and indefinitely suspended on Thursday, local time, after Mr Kimmel made comments relating to slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

“Many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalise on the murder of Charlie Kirk," Mr Kimmel said on his show, adding that Mr Trump's response was "not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend".

"This is how a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish, OK?"

Mr Kirk was shot dead at a speaking event in Utah earlier this month.

The late-night host is a freque

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