Jimmy Kimmel returned to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday (Sept. 23), less than a week after ABC temporarily pulled the show following remarks he made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kimmel Opens With Emotional Monologue

In his first show back, Kimmel joked about the media firestorm but quickly struck a serious tone.
“It’s been overwhelming … I’ve heard from all the people in the world over the last six days,” he said. He went on to thank supporters across the political spectrum, including conservatives such as Ben Shapiro, Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul, and even Ted Cruz.

“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,” Kimmel added.

ABC’s Decision To Pull The Show

The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, announced on Monday that Kimmel would return after a week of suspension. ABC initially pulled the show following backlash to Kimmel’s Sept. 15 monologue in which he criticized how some characterized Kirk’s killer.

Addressing the controversy, Kimmel 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 explained that his comments were misunderstood and acknowledged that some viewers found them offensive.

Behind The Scenes With ABC

Kimmel admitted he strongly disagreed with ABC’s decision to suspend him.
“I was not happy when they pulled me off the air … but we talked it through, and at the end … they welcomed me back,” he shared.

Trump & FCC Respond

Former President Donald Trump reacted on Truth Social, blasting ABC for bringing Kimmel back:
“I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,” Trump wrote, hinting at possible legal action similar to his past lawsuit against ABC News.

Meanwhile, FCC Chair Brendan Carr described Kimmel’s remarks as “some of the sickest conduct possible,” suggesting regulatory consequences.

Station Owners Still Refusing To Air The Show

Despite his return, major station groups including Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcast Group announced they would continue preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! on their ABC affiliates, replacing it with news programming.

Free Speech & Comedy

Kimmel closed his monologue by defending political satire:
“One thing I did learn from Lenny Bruce and George Carlin and Howard Stern is that a government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn’t like is anti-American.”