Kimmel Returns to Air, Defiant and Emotional as Trump Attacks ABC
Late-night host resumes show after suspension over inflammatory remarks, while Disney executives and affiliate stations respond to the controversy and political backlash.
Jimmy Kimmel returned to the air Tuesday night after nearly a week on the sidelines, delivering a defiant yet emotional comeback as he faced ongoing controversy over his remarks about Charlie Kirk and the man suspected in his death. ABC suspended the show last Wednesday after the comments circulated online and drew fierce criticism from conservatives who urged apologies. Kimmel did not retract his assertions that Kirk's alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, was likely affiliated with the MAGA movement, but he opened the show with a somber note on forgiveness and grace.
In a monologue that mixed humor with grief, Kimmel teared up while praising Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's wife, for her response. 'She forgave him. That is an example we should follow. If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do, there it was. That’s it. A selfless act of grace,' he said. He also referenced forgiveness from a grieving widow and noted that the tragedy offered a chance to carry forward more compassionate conduct on television, even as he stood firm on his earlier remarks.
Before the show aired, President Donald Trump blasted ABC on Truth Social for bringing back the host, calling the network 'Fake News' and questioning the decision. 'I can't believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,' he wrote, adding that 'the White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled' and that Kimmel's audience had declined while his 'talent' was 'never there.'
Sources told The Post that Kimmel negotiated his return with Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment Co-Chair Dana Walden. The terms of any agreement were not disclosed, and a network spokesperson declined comment. The suspension and the surrounding backlash also sparked boycotts against Disney, ABC's parent company, with some executives and commentators characterizing the move as a capitulation to criticism and calls for accountability. Others defended the network's handling as necessary to balance responsibility and free expression.
Not all outlets lined up behind Kimmel's return. ABC stations owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group announced they would preempt 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' and instead air standard news programming starting Tuesday night. Sinclair said discussions with ABC were ongoing as it evaluates the show's potential return. Nexstar Media Group, which operates 32 other ABC affiliates, followed suit on Tuesday, preempting the program in several markets on the East Coast, including Syracuse, Albany and Hartford.
The White House denied that the suspension was driven by government pressure to suppress speech, saying the decision was a network matter rather than a political directive. The controversy highlighted tensions around late-night talk shows, corporate media dynamics, and political arguments that have already shaped public perception of the network's coverage and the industry's response to criticism of comedians.
As the show returns, Kimmel faces continuing scrutiny over his remarks while ABC, Disney, and affiliate stations weigh the path forward. The dynamic underscores a broader debate over where entertainment, political commentary and corporate accountability intersect in a media landscape that remains highly polarized.
