Sept 18 (Reuters) - Walt Disney ( DIS ) representatives

and talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel raced to find the right words on

Wednesday to calm a social media furor that erupted following

criticism of his remarks about slain conservative activist

Charlie Kirk, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Kimmel's comments in his monologue on Monday had angered many,

and the reaction reached a fever pitch on Wednesday, including

death threats that raised concerns for the safety of Kimmel and

his staff, the source said. The late-night host prepared to make

a statement, but Kimmel and Disney ( DIS ) representatives could not

find language that they agreed would not further inflame the

situation, the source said.

As the show's 4:30 p.m. taping time approached, Disney ( DIS ) CEO

Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment co-Chairman Dana Walden agreed

that the best approach would be to take the show off the air and

later find a way to bring Kimmel back, the source said. Walden

informed Kimmel of the decision.

A representative for Kimmel did not respond to Reuters'

request for comment.

Executives will meet with Kimmel to discuss the future of

his program, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing three

people with knowledge of the matter.

Disney ( DIS )-owned ABC said it pulled Kimmel's show off the air over

comments by the late-night show host about the assassination

of Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist and co-founder of

the nonprofit Turning Point USA and a close political ally of

President Donald Trump. Many in Hollywood decried the decision,

saying the company was bowing to political pressure and that it

was an assault on free speech.

Kimmel, who has frequently targeted Trump on his comedy show,

said in his monologue on Monday: "We hit some new lows over the

weekend, with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize

this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of

them, and doing everything they can to score political points

from it."

As Disney ( DIS ) wrestled with the gathering social media

controversy, Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan

Carr, in a podcast appearance on Wednesday, said that Kimmel had

misled viewers about the alleged shooter's MAGA affiliation.

Carr also raised the possibility that the FCC could revoke the

broadcast licenses of local television stations that carry such

"garbage."

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," Carr said in

an interview with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson. "These

companies can find ways to change conduct and take action,

frankly, on Kimmel."

The nation's largest local television station group, Nexstar

Media ( NXST ), and Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns many of

ABC's local TV affiliates, said they would stop airing the show

following Kimmel's monologue. Sinclair said Kimmel's show would

be suspended until he apologizes to the Kirk family. Nexstar and

Sinclair both have merger deals pending before the FCC.

Trump, during a state visit to Britain on Thursday, said Kimmel

had been punished for saying "a horrible thing" about Kirk, who

is credited with building support for Trump among young

conservative voters.