Television presenter Jimmy Kimmel made his comeback to late-night broadcasting on Tuesday evening following a six-day hiatus after he was taken off air for comments about Charlie Kirk’s death.
The host received multiple standing ovations from the studio audience, who greeted him with prolonged applause and rhythmic chanting of his name.
The presenter appeared visibly moved during his opening remarks, acknowledging the overwhelming response he’d received during his absence. “I’ve heard from a lot of people over the last six days. I’ve heard from people all over the world over the last six days; everyone I have ever met has reached out,” Mr Kimmel stated.
During his monologue, Mr Kimmel became noticeably emotional while addressing the controversy surrounding his remarks about the conservative activist’s death. Fighting back tears, he emphasised that making light of a young person’s killing had never been his aim.
Jimmy Kimmel was emotional upon his return to TV on Tuesday night
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ABC
“I do want to make something clear, because it’s important to me as a human, and that is, you understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” the presenter said.
The host expressed gratitude towards fellow broadcasters and viewers who had offered support. He particularly acknowledged those who disagreed with his views but nonetheless defended his freedom to express them.
“And most of all, I want to thank the people who don’t support my show and what I believe, but support my right to share those beliefs anyway,” Mr Kimmel added.
President Trump responded furiously to the programme’s resumption, posting on social media approximately an hour before Tuesday’s broadcast. “I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,” President Trump wrote, claiming the White House had been informed the programme was cancelled.
Jimmy Kimmel was taken off air following comments about Charlie Kirk’s murder
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GETTYThe president suggested potential legal action against the network. “I think we’re going to test ABC out on this,” he stated, adding: “Last time I went after them, they gave me $16m. This one sounds even more lucrative.”
The president also featured heavily in Mr Kimmel’s monologue. “Our leader celebrates people losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke,” Mr Kimmel remarked.
He added that Trump supporting people losing their jobs was “un-American” and “dangerous”, before commenting: “A government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn’t like is anti-American.
“Our government cannot be allowed to control what we do and do not say on television.”
Jimmy Kimmel praised Erika Kirk during his monologue too
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ABC
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, the man appointed by Trump and who had previously issued warnings to ABC regarding its broadcast licences if the network failed to act against Kimmel, also came under fire from Mr Kimmel.
Mr Kimmel branded him “the most embarrassing car Republicans have embraced since this one,” before showing a picture of a Tesla Cybertruck with Trump’s name emblazed on the side.
Also during his monologue, Mr Kimmel tearfully praised Mr Kirk’s wife, Erika, for “forgiving” her husband’s shooter during her emotional speech at his memorial, as well as thanking those not politically aligned with him for standing up for his right to free speech.
Despite his highly anticipated return, two major broadcasting companies continue to refuse to air Kimmel’s programme on their networks.
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The President previously celebrated Kimmel’s suspension
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GETTYSinclair, which operates the largest collection of ABC-affiliated stations nationally, announced it would substitute the late-night slot with news content until Mr Kimmel offers an apology to Mr Kirk’s relatives and contributes financially to Turning Point USA, the deceased activist’s organisation.
“Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return,” Sinclair stated on Monday evening.
Nexstar similarly confirmed its stations across 22 states would maintain their boycott. The company defended its stance, citing ABC’s own acknowledgement that Mr Kimmel’s remarks were “ill-timed and insensitive” during a sensitive period for national discourse.
These boycotts mean approximately one-quarter of ABC’s affiliated stations aren’t broadcasting the programme, though it remains accessible through online platforms and streaming services, including Hulu and Disney+.
What a brilliant monologue from Jimmy Kimmel.
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) September 24, 2025
Mr Kimmel’s return was applauded and welcomed by a number of famous faces and fellow late-night talk show hosts on Tuesday night.
“What a brilliant monologue from Jimmy Kimmel,” actor Ben Stiller shared on X, while his show guest Glen Powell admitted he was “happy” to see him back.
Stephen Colbert opened his own show by saying: “To everyone watching from home, who I think might just be my wife Evie, because everybody else is probably watching ABC because tonight Jimmy Kimmel returned to the airways…
“I’m glad Kimmel is back. He’s a wonderful fellow.”
