Jimmy Kimmel returned to air on Tuesday night, calling government threats to silence comedians “anti-American” as he broke his silence over the suspension of his show from ABC. The suspension, which occurred last week under pressure from Trump officials, ignited a national debate over free speech.
In his first monologue since Disney, ABC’s owner, suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel said: “This show is not important. What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.” He thanked fellow late-night hosts and supporters, adding: “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.”
The suspension followed Kimmel’s 15 September monologue about the shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel clarified on Tuesday: “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man… Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group.” He acknowledged that some viewers felt his comments were “ill-timed or unclear” and said he understood why they were upset.
Kimmel criticised President Trump, saying the president “did his best to cancel me” but “instead, he forced millions of people to watch the show”. He 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 closed by reflecting on remarks from Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who forgave her husband’s killer. “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.”
Disney faced backlash from Hollywood stars, unions, and media hosts before allowing the show to resume production. The Trump-appointed FCC chair, Brendan Carr, had threatened ABC’s affiliate licenses, and broadcast groups Nexstar and Sinclair refused to air the programme. Around an hour before Kimmel’s return, Trump criticised ABC for reinstating the show, writing on social media: “I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back.”
