Image of late-night show host, Jimmy Kimmel

Jimmy Kimmel made an emotional return to late-night television on Tuesday, using his comeback monologue to defend free speech and push back against critics who had called for his suspension following remarks about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

In his first show since the controversy, Kimmel addressed viewers directly:
“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” he said, choking up as he praised Erika Kirk for publicly forgiving her husband’s alleged killer. “It was a selfless act of grace… that touched me deeply.”

Kimmel denounced what he described as “anti-American” attacks on free speech, accusing powerful political figures of trying to silence comedians and critics.

FCC Clash and Affiliate Backlash

Much of Kimmel’s ire was directed at Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), who had been among the first to call for his suspension. Kimmel likened Carr to a mob boss, jokingly portraying him as a censor determined to police late-night humour.

Carr praised ABC affiliates such as Nexstar and Sinclair for replacing Jimmy Kimmel Live! with alternate programming, saying stations should “serve their communities of license.” Nexstar and Sinclair together own over 20% of ABC affiliates nationwide.

Both media giants have said they will not reinstate Kimmel’s programme without assurances of “respectful, constructive dialogue”.

TRUMP IN THE CROSSHAIRS

Kimmel also used his monologue to mock Donald Trump’s appearance at the UN, including a reported escalator mishap. But he reserved his sharpest criticism for Trump’s calls to cancel him and other late-night hosts.

“Our leader celebrates people losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke,” Kimmel said. “That is un-American and dangerous.”

Trump responded on his social media platform an hour before airtime, expressing disbelief that ABC had reinstated Kimmel. He claimed the White House had been told the show was cancelled and mocked Kimmel’s “talent” as “never there”. Trump also threatened to “test ABC out on this.”

DISNEY, STREAMING, AND SATIRE

The return episode aired on Hulu + Live TV, a Disney-owned service, though many ABC affiliates blacked it out. Kimmel poked fun at his corporate bosses by pretending to read from a prepared Disney statement—only to joke that it was a guide on “how to reactivate your Disney+ subscription.”

Disney, ABC’s parent company, said Kimmel’s reinstatement followed “thoughtful conversations with Jimmy.”

CELEBRITY AND PUBLIC REACTION

The comeback drew applause from Hollywood allies, with Ben Stiller calling Kimmel’s monologue “brilliant”. Kimmel’s colleagues Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, and Seth Meyers also defended him throughout his suspension, framing the controversy as a test of artistic freedom.

Robert De Niro even joined Tuesday’s episode in a skit as Brendan Carr, declaring, “Speech, it ain’t free no more.”

But the episode’s broadcast limitations underscored ongoing industry tensions. Nexstar is seeking FCC approval for a $6.2 billion takeover of rival Tegna, complicating its public clash with Kimmel and Disney.

THE SUSPENSION AND FALLOUT

Kimmel’s show was pulled on September 15 after he compared Trump’s response to Kirk’s killing to “how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.” The remarks drew outrage from Trump allies and conservative commentators.

The FCC accused him of misleading the public, while local broadcasters worried about political backlash. Disney suspended the show “indefinitely”, prompting backlash from free speech advocates, labour unions, and celebrities.

Tuesday’s return, however, signalled that Disney is standing behind its host — even if parts of the country won’t yet see his show on air.