Jimmy Kimmel made a poignant return to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC Tuesday after a four-day suspension, delivering an emotional monologue that addressed the controversy surrounding his comments on the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Visibly moved, Kimmel clarified, “It was never my intention to make light of a young man’s murder,” emphasizing he hadn’t meant to pin blame on any group. “If you thought I pointed a finger, I understand why you’re upset,” he told viewers, praising Kirk’s widow for her “selfless act of grace” in forgiving the killer, a gesture he said inspired him and should guide the nation.
Jimmy Kimmel returns to his show to a huge standing ovation.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 24, 2025
“Anyway… as I was saying before I was interrupted” pic.twitter.com/NBfvZeGghv
Kimmel didn’t hold back, slamming former President Donald Trump and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr for threatening media freedom.
He called Trump’s attacks on late-night hosts and the press “anti-American,” adding, “This show isn’t important—what matters is living in a country where we can have a show like this.” He took a sharp jab at Carr, mocking him as “the most embarrassing car Republicans have embraced since this one,” as a photo of a Trump-branded Tesla Cybertruck flashed onscreen, drawing laughs from the audience.
BREAKING: Jimmy Kimmel addresses his lies about the assassination of Charlie Kirk that resulted in him being ripped off air last week in his return to late night.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 24, 2025
Sinclair and Nexstar, who own nearly 25% of local ABC stations, are not airing tonight’s show. pic.twitter.com/Zh6F8hVWFK
The host expressed frustration with ABC and its parent company, Disney, for pulling the show after his September 15 remarks, which some interpreted as insensitive. Kimmel noted ongoing tensions with the network over his show’s political edge but thanked them for reinstating it.
The suspension followed pressure from FCC’s Carr, who suggested potential action against ABC’s broadcast licenses, and preemptions by affiliates like Sinclair and Nexstar, which continue to block the show in markets like Los Angeles and Chicago.
Trump escalated the feud hours before Kimmel’s return, posting on Truth Social that ABC’s decision to reinstate the show was a “major Illegal Campaign Contribution” to Democrats, falsely claiming the White House was told the show was canceled. Kimmel dismissed the rhetoric, framing the ordeal as a stand for free speech.
