Jimmy Kimmel made his return to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday night after a suspension stemming from controversial comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Opening his Sept. 23 monologue, Kimmel thanked his friends and supporters, joking briefly about preempting Celebrity Family Feud before shifting into a more somber tone.
“You understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said, visibly emotional. “I don’t think there’s anything funny about it. I understand that to some, it felt ill-timed or unclear, maybe both. And for those who think I pointed a finger, I get why you’re upset.”
Kimmel’s remarks addressed the backlash from his earlier monologue, which drew strong criticism from political figures including President Donald Trump and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr.
Trump quickly denounced Kimmel’s reinstatement, posting online:
“I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. The White House was told his show was canceled! Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his ‘talent’ was never there.”
While ABC officially brought Kimmel back to air, Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns several ABC affiliates, including KOMO in Seattle, announced it would continue to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! with news programming.
The suspension and return of Kimmel remain part of a larger political firestorm over free speech, media responsibility, and network accountability.
