Megyn Kelly slams Jimmy Kimmel's ABC return, recalls blackface past
In a pointed post, the former NBC anchor challenged Kimmel’s comeback after his Charlie Kirk remarks, tying in their historical controversies and sparking renewed debate over free speech and apologies in late-night television.
Megyn Kelly publicly condemned Jimmy Kimmel’s return to ABC, arguing the network’s decision to bring him back after his suspension over remarks about Charlie Kirk overlooks a longer history of controversy involving the host. The note of tension comes as Kimmel resumes his duties on a network he hasn’t left, while Kelly’s own controversial history with blackface remains a reference point for critics and supporters alike.
Kelly’s criticism was voiced in a social-media post this week that retold memories of past payoffs and punishments in the entertainment world. She pointed to her own career disruption in 2018 after defending blackface in Halloween costumes on NBC’s airwaves and contrasted that with Kimmel’s situation, framing the comeback as part of a broader debate about accountability in late-night television. Kelly’s post also echoed a broader conservative media response, in which some commentators defended Kimmel’s right to free speech while others suggested that the network should have treated the matter differently.
Cn The issue is not new for Kimmel, who has faced scrutiny for past on-air impersonations that used dark makeup. In the run-up to his suspension, critics highlighted videos from his Comedy Central years in which he donned blackface as part of impersonations, including portrayals of Oprah Winfrey and other public figures. In 2020, those resurfaced clips prompted Kimmel to issue an apology, saying the makeup and words used were hurtful and that he has since evolved. He insisted that his past actions were unacceptable and that he had learned from them, though he also warned that the controversy would be used to silence him again.
Kelly’s 2018 departure from NBC followed a separate public dispute about blackface, after she defended its use on Halloween costumes. She has publicly argued about the boundaries of offense, asserting that questions about what qualifies as racist can sometimes produce contradictory judgments. The juxtaposition of Kelly’s and Kimmel’s histories has kept the issue in the spotlight as ABC staff and executives balance the desire to protect talent with concerns about accountability and public backlash.
Kimmel returned to ABC on Tuesday after being suspended indefinitely last week for remarks during a monologue about the Charlie Kirk incident. The network has not released a formal statement detailing the terms of his return, and Kimmel did not issue a formal apology during his reopening from the break. The episode reignited debate about whether late-night hosts should bear primary responsibility for their political commentary and how past missteps should affect their future opportunities.
The broader media response to the suspension has included a mix of support and critique. Some conservatives defended Kimmel’s right to express his opinions, while others urged a stricter standard for accountability in late-night television. The View’s co-hosts weighed in as well, with one segment framing the suspension as a moment of silence for a show business environment that sometimes wields discipline inconsistently. Critics such as radio host Howard Stern also commented, arguing that media figures should engage in more transparent reckonings with their past errors.
Industry observers have also noted regulatory and station-level considerations in the aftermath. Some ABC affiliates reportedly faced internal questions about airing Kimmel’s program as stations weighed local viewer interests against the network’s editorial direction. In parallel, statements from the FCC chair indicated that the suspension was not a matter of government censorship, but a decision tied to programming and ratings concerns, a point underscored by some opponents who argued that programming decisions should not be framed as political retaliation.
As Kimmel’s return unfolds, ABC executives, staffers, and viewers remain attentive to how the network handles future episodes and whether additional commentary on the Charlie Kirk matter surfaces. Kelly’s harsh re-statement of past grievances highlights a tension in media circles: the clash between defending a host’s right to speak and holding public figures accountable for past actions when those actions re-emerge in public discourse. The episode adds a fresh chapter to a long-running conversation about redemption, consequences, and the evolving standards in late-night culture and entertainment journalism.