NEW YORK — Jimmy Kimmel returned to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday after nearly a week off the air, delivering an emotional monologue in which he insisted he never meant to make light of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Fighting back tears, Kimmel told his studio audience:
“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I don’t think there’s anything funny about it.”
He admitted his earlier comments may have felt “ill-timed or unclear” but stressed he wasn’t blaming any group for the tragedy.
Suspension sparks free speech debate
Kimmel’s show was suspended by ABC last week after backlash from conservative groups and pressure from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, who accused Kimmel of misleading the public. Carr warned networks to “change conduct” or face action — remarks critics compared to mafia-style threats.
The suspension ignited a national debate over freedom of speech. Hundreds of actors, musicians and comedians — from Tom Hanks to Jennifer Aniston — signed an ACLU-backed letter denouncing the move as “a dark moment for freedom of speech.” Even Sen. Ted Cruz, a frequent Kimmel adversary, defended his right to speak.
Kimmel praises Kirk’s widow, slams censors
Kimmel reserved his strongest praise for Erika Kirk, the activist’s widow, who publicly forgave her husband’s killer. “That is an example we should follow,” he said, calling it “a selfless act of grace.”
But he blasted station groups Sinclair and Nexstar, which refused to air his return: “That’s not legal. That’s un-American.”
Trump and Disney backlash
President Donald Trump, who had cheered Kimmel’s suspension, slammed ABC for reinstating him, calling the host “not funny” and “Fake News.” Some viewers canceled Disney streaming subscriptions in protest, while others tuned in to support Kimmel — who joked Trump’s criticism “forced millions of people to watch.”
Ovation, guests, and what’s next
Kimmel returned to a standing ovation and chants of “Jimmy, Jimmy.” His guests included actor Glen Powell and singer Sarah McLachlan, who had canceled a previous performance in solidarity during his suspension. Robert De Niro also appeared in a skit lampooning FCC chair Carr.
The controversy comes as late-night faces upheaval: audiences are shrinking, clips dominate online, and CBS recently canceled Stephen Colbert’s Late Show. Kimmel’s current ABC contract runs through May.