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Jimmy Kimmel made an emotional return to late-night television on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Sept. 23, following a week-long suspension sparked by comments about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
During his opening monologue, Kimmel, who was greeted with a standing ovation, reflected on the fallout from his Sept. 15 remarks. Choking back tears, he told viewers, "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 added that he never meant to "blame any specific group for the actions of what was obviously a deeply disturbed individual," acknowledging that his words may have seemed "ill-timed or unclear—or maybe both."
ABC initially pulled the show on Sept. 17, citing concerns that Kimmel's comments were "ill-timed and thus insensitive." In a Sept. 22 statement, Disney said the suspension was meant to "avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country" but confirmed the show's return after "thoughtful conversations with Jimmy."
The controversy stemmed from Kimmel's remarks about Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of killing Kirk, and his criticism of how some attempted to politicize the tragedy. He said during the Sept. 15 broadcast, "We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it."
Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr criticized Kimmel's comments and warned ABC affiliates that "we can do this the easy or the hard way," a statement many saw as a threat to licenses. Nexstar and Sinclair later announced they would preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! on their ABC stations, and both companies have continued to boycott the program.
Kimmel used his return to emphasize free speech, declaring, "If we don't have free speech, then we just don't have a free country. It's as simple as that." He added, "One thing I did learn from Lenny Bruce and George Carlin and Howard Stern is a government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn't like is anti-American."
Despite political backlash—including President Donald Trump writing on Truth Social that ABC was putting itself "in jeopardy"—Kimmel said he was grateful for the outpouring of support. "Maybe most of all, I want to thank the people who don't support my show and what I believe but support my right to share those beliefs anyway."
