Jimmy Kimmel Returns to television, Condemns Political Pressure Following Suspension
Los Angeles, CA – Jimmy Kimmel returned to his late-night talk show on Monday, delivering a fiery monologue denouncing what he described as political pressure that led to his temporary suspension from ABC. Kimmel directly accused Brendan Carr, president of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), of attempting to coerce television affiliates into cancelling his program following a segment perceived as critical of former President Donald Trump.
The controversy stemmed from a recent monologue where Kimmel conveyed a joke that some found unclear or exceeding acceptable limits. Kimmel stated the incident resulted in “horrible threats” against his family and colleagues, emphasizing, “violence will never be the solution.” He framed the situation as a broader fight for freedom of expression, stating, “The program is not important, but we can live in a country that allows us to have a program like this.”
Kimmel drew a contrast between TrumpS current stance and his past statements on free speech. He cited trump’s 2012 assertion that a lack of freedom of expression posed a threat to national freedom, juxtaposed with Trump’s recent comment that Kimmel “has no talent” and “no large levels of audience.” Kimmel quipped, ”He tried to cancel me and, on the other hand, made millions see me today.”
He further alleged an attempt to silence dissent, claiming, “They tried to coerce the television affiliates to get my air program and that is not legal.” Kimmel warned that the pressure could extend to journalists, citing a new policy restricting reporting on information not explicitly authorized for publication. “They want to choose what are the news of interest. It is indeed critically important to have freedom of the press,” he declared.
Kimmel expressed gratitude to Disney and ABC for allowing his return, stating neither company imposed conditions. He also acknowledged sharing his dissatisfaction with the network when he was initially taken off the air. His return included a satirical segment featuring parodies of Donald Trump, portrayed by an actor resembling Robert De Niro, as well as appearances by Sarah McLachlan and Glen Powell.
Throughout his monologue, Kimmel repeatedly emphasized the importance of resisting political interference in media, stating, “Our government is not allowed to control what we do on television and we have to get up for that.” He referenced conversations with individuals from Russia and the Middle East who, he said, expressed admiration for American freedom of expression, even risking jail time for making jokes critical of their own governments.
