Kimmel Breaks Down on Return, Says He Never Meant to Mock Charlie Kirk’s Death
Jimmy Kimmel returned to late-night television Tuesday night after nearly a weeklong suspension, visibly close to tears at points, told viewers he never intended to make light of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“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,” Kimmel said. “You understand that 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 stressed he wasn’t blaming any specific group for the crime. “That was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make,” he explained, admitting his remarks “felt either ill-timed or unclear or maybe both.”
Despite the backlash, Kimmel did not apologise. Instead, he blasted Sinclair and Nexstar station groups representing about a quarter of ABC affiliates for refusing to air his show.
“That’s not legal,” he said. “That’s not American. It’s un-American.”
Kimmel also criticised ABC’s decision to suspend him, though he praised his bosses for eventually bringing him back. “Unjustly, this puts them at risk,” he noted.
Trump-appointed FCC Chairman Brendan Carr had earlier accused Kimmel of trying to “directly mislead the American public,” warning ABC to “take action, frankly, on Kimmel” or face federal consequences. That remark sparked bipartisan backlash, with Sen. Ted Cruz saying Carr acted “like a mafioso.”
Kimmel thanked fellow comedians, colleagues, and even political rivals who defended his right to speak, naming Cruz as well as fans who admitted they weren’t supporters of his comedy. He became emotional again when praising Kirk’s widow, Erika.
“That is an example we should follow,” Kimmel said. “If you believe in the teachings of Jesus as I do, there it was, A selfless act of grace, forgiveness from a grieving widow. It touched me deeply. And I hope it touches many.”
The host mocked Donald Trump, who celebrated his suspension and criticized his ratings. “He tried his best to cancel me and instead he forced millions of people to watch this show,” Kimmel quipped to applause.
Kimmel’s suspension drew widespread condemnation across Hollywood, with hundreds of entertainers signing a letter calling ABC’s move “a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation.” Podcaster Joe Rogan added, “I definitely don’t think that the government should be involved ever in dictating what a comedian can or can’t say.”
The controversy arrives during a shifting late-night landscape, with shows losing viewers as audiences increasingly turn to online highlights. While CBS canceled Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” earlier this year, Kimmel remains under contract with ABC until May.
Kimmel closed his return show with appearances from actor Glen Powell and singer Sarah McLachlan, who had protested his suspension by withdrawing from another event. He left the stage to chants of “Jimmy, Jimmy,” after a week that reignited debates over freedom of speech, censorship, and political pressure in media.
