NEW YORK: Jimmy Kimmel returned to “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Tuesday after an almost weeklong suspension, saying he never intended to make light of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and apologizing to anyone who found his remarks hurtful.
Jimmy Kimmel returned to late-night television Tuesday after a nearly weeklong suspension and grew emotional, saying he was not trying to joke about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“I have no illusions about changing anyone’s mind, but I do want to make something clear, because it’s important to me as a human,” Kimmel said, his voice breaking. “You understand that 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.”
Kimmel said it was not his intention to blame any specific group for the killing, which he described as the act of a disturbed individual. He acknowledged that his comments may have felt “ill-timed or unclear or maybe both.”
Kimmel criticized ABC affiliates that pulled his show off the air. “That’s not legal. That’s not American. It’s un-American,” he said. Two major station groups, Sinclair and Nexstar, representing about a quarter of ABC affiliates, had announced they would not air his program Tuesday.
Praise for Supporters
He thanked those who defended him, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. “It takes courage for them to speak out against this administration. They did and they deserve credit for it,” Kimmel said.
Kimmel also praised Kirk’s widow, who publicly forgave her husband’s killer, calling it a powerful moment.
Network Suspension and Return
ABC suspended Kimmel’s show last week after criticism of his comments but reinstated him Monday after what it called “thoughtful conversations” with the host. Kimmel admitted he was angry at first but praised his bosses for ultimately returning him to the air.
He also mocked former President Donald Trump for celebrating his suspension. “He tried his best to cancel me and instead he forced millions of people to watch this show,” Kimmel said.
Stations Opt Out
The decisions by Sinclair and Nexstar meant ABC stations in Washington, D.C.; St. Louis; Nashville, Tennessee; and Richmond, Virginia, aired other programming. WJLA-TV, a Sinclair-owned station in Washington, broadcast a newscast and “The National Desk” instead.
FCC Chair and Backlash
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr accused Kimmel of trying to “mislead the American public” about Tyler Robinson, the man charged with Kirk’s killing. Carr warned that networks could face consequences if they did not act.
His remarks drew backlash. Cruz compared Carr to “a mafioso,” while hundreds of entertainment figures, including Tom Hanks and Barbra Streisand, signed a letter calling ABC’s suspension “a dark moment for freedom of speech.”
Celebrity and Public Support
Podcaster Joe Rogan defended Kimmel, arguing that the government should never dictate what comedians can say. Some consumers canceled Disney streaming subscriptions in protest of the suspension.
Actor Robert De Niro joined Kimmel’s return, portraying Carr in a skit. The show opened with a standing ovation and chants of “Jimmy, Jimmy.”
Trump’s Reaction
Trump hailed Kimmel’s suspension on his Truth Social platform, calling him unfunny and harmful to ABC. His administration has frequently clashed with media organizations through lawsuits and funding cuts.
Meanwhile, the late-night industry faces shifts as audiences increasingly watch online highlights. CBS canceled Stephen Colbert’s show earlier this year. Kimmel’s current contract with ABC runs through May.
