Jimmy Kimmel returned to ABC after a six-day suspension for remarks on Charlie Kirk’s murder, defending free speech while reflecting on grief and forgiveness.
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel returned to the airwaves Monday night after a six-day suspension following uproar over his comments on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Choking back tears, Kimmel clarified that he never intended to joke about Kirk’s killing or assign blame, admitting that some viewers found his remarks “ill-timed” or “unclear.”
He went on to criticize ABC affiliates Sinclair and Nexstar for dropping his program during the controversy, branding their actions “un-American.” Kimmel also thanked supporters across the political spectrum—including Senator Ted Cruz—who defended his right to speak, even while disagreeing with him.
In an emotional moment, Kimmel praised Erika Kirk, the widow of the slain activist, for her remarkable act of forgiveness toward her husband’s killer. “Her grace is something we can all learn from,” he said, reflecting on the personal and national pain left in the aftermath of the shooting.
The suspension was reportedly driven by political backlash, pressure from the FCC, and interventions by President Donald Trump, who had sharply criticized the comedian. The episode has reignited a broader debate in the United States over free speech, political pressure on media, and the boundaries of comedy in times of tragedy.
For Kimmel, his return was both a personal apology and a defiant stand: comedy, grief, and politics colliding on America’s late-night stage.
