Jimmy Kimmel returned to U.S. late-night television on Tuesday, delivering an emotional monologue in which he defended free speech and apologized for comments that led to his brief suspension.
The ABC host was taken off air earlier this month after remarks he made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk drew widespread backlash. Kimmel said it was never his intention to make light of Kirk’s death, adding: “For those who think I did point a finger, I get why you’re upset.”
Kirk, 30, was shot dead on Sept. 10 while speaking at a university in Utah. A 22-year-old suspect has been charged with murder. During Tuesday’s broadcast, Kimmel praised Kirk’s widow, Erika, for publicly forgiving the alleged killer, calling it “a selfless act of grace.”
Kimmel used the show to criticize President Donald Trump and Brendan Carr, head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), who had both called for his removal. “Our leader celebrates people losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke,” Kimmel said, calling Trump’s stance “dangerous” and “un-American.”
The comedian accused the FCC of “mob tactics” and invited actor Robert De Niro for a skit lampooning Carr. “Speech, it ain’t free no more,” De Niro quipped.
The controversy began after Kimmel likened Trump’s reaction to Kirk’s killing to “how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.” Trump welcomed the suspension and later attacked ABC’s decision to reinstate him, writing on Truth Social: “I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back.”
While the show aired on Hulu + Live TV, about 20% of ABC affiliates—controlled by Nexstar and Sinclair—declined to broadcast the episode, citing concerns about tone and dialogue. Nexstar said it would continue replacing Kimmel’s show “pending assurance” of more constructive programming.
The FCC, which oversees broadcast licenses and media mergers, has been weighing Nexstar’s $6.2 billion acquisition of rival Tegna. Carr, a Trump appointee, praised affiliates for withholding Kimmel’s show, saying local stations should be empowered to protect community standards.
Kimmel received support from across the entertainment industry, including Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Seth Meyers, and actor Ben Stiller, who called his comeback monologue “brilliant.” Even Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican, criticized Carr for acting like “a mafioso.” Podcaster Joe Rogan added: “The government should never dictate what a comedian can or cannot say.”
Disney, ABC’s parent company, said the decision to reinstate Kimmel followed “thoughtful conversations” with the comedian.