Jimmy Kimmel returned to his late-night show on Tuesday, using his first monologue since ABC suspended the programme to criticise government threats against comedians as 'anti-American'. The suspension, which came after pressure from Trump administration officials over Kimmel's comments on the shooting of rightwing activist Charlie Kirk, sparked a national debate on free speech.
Kimmel thanked his supporters and fellow late-night hosts, but also addressed those who disagreed with him. '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,' he said. He clarified that he never intended to make light of the murder, nor to blame any specific group for the actions of a 'deeply disturbed individual'.
The host also criticised President Donald Trump, saying the president 'did his best to cancel me' but instead 'forced millions of people to watch the show'. Kimmel added: 'The president of the United States made it very clear he wants to see me and the hundreds of people who work here fired from our jobs. Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke.'
Kimmel reflected on remarks by Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, who forgave her husband's killer at his memorial service. 'That is an example we should follow,' Kimmel said. 'If there’s anything we should take from this tragedy to carry forward, I hope it can be that, not this.'
The controversy began after Kimmel's 15 September monologue, in which he said 'The Maga gang [is] desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them'. Trump FCC chair Brendan Carr threatened ABC's affiliate licenses, and broadcast groups Nexstar and Sinclair refused to air the show, leading Disney CEO Bob Iger to suspend production. The move prompted backlash from Hollywood and free speech advocates.
