Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ returned to the air after a week-long suspension following Kimmel’s controversial comments about Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassination. Kimmel addressed the controversy on Tuesday night, stating he never intended to mock the tragedy. The late-night host came out to a standing ovation, which continued into chants of ‘Jimmy! Jimmy! Jimmy!’ and ongoing cheering.
Kimmel began his monologue by thanking his fellow late-night talk show hosts, including Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, and David Letterman, along with right-leaning critics like Clay Travis and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, for showing support during his suspension. He then addressed the comments that led to his suspension, emphasizing that his intent was never to make light of the murder of a young man.
‘I have many friends and family members on the other side who I love and remain close to, even though we don’t agree on politics at all,’ Kimmel said. ‘I don’t think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone. This was a sick person who believed violence was a solution, and it isn’t ever.’
Kimmel also expressed mixed thoughts about Disney suspending his show after 23 years on the air. ‘I did not agree with that decision and I told them that, and we had many conversations,’ he said. ‘I shared my point of view, they shared theirs. We talked it through. And at the full, even though they didn’t have to, this is a giant company, we have short attention spans, and I am a tiny part of the Disney corporation, they welcomed me back on the air.’
Kimmel closed his monologue by tearfully recounting Erica Kirk’s speech at her husband’s funeral, where she showed forgiveness to his assassin. ‘There was a moment over the weekend, a very beautiful moment. I don’t know if you saw this. On Sunday, Erika Kirk forgave the man who shot her husband,’ Kimmel said. ‘She forgave him. That is an example we should follow. If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do, there it was. That’s it. A selfless act of grace, forgiveness from a grieving widow.’
Following Kimmel’s comments, broadcasting companies Sinclair Broadcasting Group and Nexstar Media Group preempted the show across dozens of ABC affiliates due to the ‘ill-timed and insensitive’ remarks. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Brendan Carr also made a veiled threat against the show following backlash from the comments.
Ahead of Kimmel’s return, President Donald Trump criticized ABC and Kimmel for bringing the show back despite being told it was ‘canceled.’