Jimmy Kimmel returned to late-night television Tuesday after a weeklong suspension, defending free speech while expressing regret that his earlier remarks about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk had been misinterpreted.
“I have no illusions about changing anyone’s mind, but I do want to make something clear, because it’s important to me as a human, and that is, you understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said during his opening monologue on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!
“I don’t think there’s anything funny about it. Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what it was obviously a deeply disturbed individual,” Kimmel added.
Kimmel further explained that he was speaking about the climate of anger we’re living in, not celebrating tragedy, noting if his point wasn’t clear, he regretted it.
He shared that he believed the person who fatally shot Kirk didn’t represent anyone, saying that the suspect was a sick individual who believed that violence was the solution and said that violence is not the answer.
ABC pulled the show last week after backlash to Kimmel’s Sept. 15th remarks regarding conservative leader Charlie Kirk’s death.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said during his show’s monologue that led to his suspension.
Some critics accused him of mocking Kirk’s death. The move drew condemnation from hundreds of Hollywood figures and free speech advocates, who said the network had caved to political pressure. FCC Chair Brendan Carr had suggested affiliates risked scrutiny if they continued airing the program.
Kimmel, who received a standing ovation from his studio audience, said the suspension highlighted the dangers of the government interference in comedy and political commentary.
Kimbell mentioned his friend Stephen Colbert’s show being pulled off and said it’s “Un-American” when people in power threaten to take away broadcast licenses because of a joke they don’t like and use censorship.
The host also thanked unlikely defenders, including Republican senators and conservative commentators, such asHe also named Candace Owens, Ted Cruz, Mitch McConnell, Ben Shapiro, Clay Travis, and Rand Paul, who publicly disagreed with his words but supported his right to freedom of speech.
Kimmel praised Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, who has publicly forgiven the accused shooter. “If she can show that kind of grace, the rest of us should try harder too,” he added.
Some major station groups, including Nexstar and Sinclair, did not carry Tuesday’s episode, citing lingering concerns. But Disney executives said they stood by Kimmel, framing his return as a commitment to artistic freedom.
The episode marked one of the most significant free speech controversies in late-night television in recent years, underscoring the fragile balance between satire, corporate policy, and political pressure.
