Comedian Jimmy Kimmel addressed his recent suspension during his return to late-night TV. This came after ABC and Disney suspended him indefinitely due to his controversial remarks about Trump supporters following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Kimmel praised Erica Kirk’s comments as he opened his show on Tuesday.
In a 17-minute monologue, Kimmel expressed gratitude to both sides of the political spectrum for their support. He criticized what he viewed as an infringement on First Amendment rights.
Although Disney paused his show because of the backlash, FCC Commissioner Brendan Kerr warned of enforcement actions. “Can we tackle this simply?” Kerr asked in a podcast discussion.
Kimmel shared his regret over the joke that prompted the suspension, stating, “I never meant to downplay the murder of a young man. I think it’s a serious matter,” while visibly emotional.
“I have friends and family across the political divide whom I care deeply about. I don’t think the individual who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone but himself. He was ill and thought violence was the answer,” Kimmel added.
Towards the end of his monologue, he referenced Christ, highlighting Erica Kirk’s act of forgiveness towards her husband’s shooter. Kimmel remarked on the profound nature of her grace during such a painful time, stating it deeply affected him.
Kimmel: “Erica Kirk forgives the man who shot her husband. If you believe in Jesus’ teachings, it’s there. A selfless act from a grieving widow. It touched me deeply.”
– Spencer Hakimian (@spencerhakimian) September 24, 2025
Kimmel described Erica Kirk’s forgiveness as an exemplary response that others could consider. He expressed a hope that from this tragedy, a constructive takeaway could emerge, instead of remaining mired in negativity.
His monologue blended serious reflections on freedom of speech with humor. He acknowledged support from conservative figures like Ben Shapiro, Clay Travis, and several GOP Senators who voiced concerns about government overreach.
Kimmel shared his experiences with international comedians, emphasizing how much they respect the freedoms in America. He stated that government interference in free speech is fundamentally “not legal” and “un-American.”
In discussing political divides, Kimmel suggested there might be common ground to be found. This week, Kerr clarified his earlier comments, denying any threat to pull broadcast licenses. He mentioned solutions could be found without FCC involvement.
Kerr added that his statements were misconstrued and reiterated that the FCC was not involved in assessing the content of Kimmel’s show.
Senator Cruz criticized Kerr’s original remarks, suggesting they posed a danger. He warned that such actions could have severe implications for conservatives in the future.
Expressing concern, Cruz stated that if Democrats regained power, they could stifle dissenting voices, using government influence against their opponents.
