Jimmy Kimmel Returns too ABC, Immediatly Criticizes Trump management’s Role in Suspension
NEW YORK – Jimmy Kimmelโ returnedโข to Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday following โฃa brief suspension sparked by comments regarding teh shooting โฃof conservative activistโ Charlie Kirk, using his โขopening monologue to both express remorse adn directly criticize the politicalโข pressure that led โto the show’s temporary removal from the air. The return follows a decision โby Disney to reinstateโ the program, whichโฃ has aired on ABC sinceโข January 2003, after initially suspending it “to โขavoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country.”
The controversy began after Kimmel โmade remarks about the reaction from the MAGA movement to the shooting of Charlie Kirk. Following these comments, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendanโฃ Carr publicly criticized Kimmelโฃ on a right-wing podcast and threatened to investigate ABC.โข Later, affiliates owned by Nexstar and โขSinclair announced they would preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live. ABC โthen announced theโฃ show was โคpulled “indefinitely.”
Kimmel addressed Carr’s criticism directly, referencing โCarr’s past stance on the importance of political satire. Heโฃ also expressed regret over the initial comments. “It was never my intention โคto make โlightโ of the murder of a โขyoung man,” Kimmel said, his voice breaking. “I don’t think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone. This was a sick person who believed violence was a solution, and it isn’t, ever.”
He also praised Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, for her act of forgiveness towards the shooter, stating, “I don’t know if you saw this-Erika Kirk forgave the man who shot her husbandโฆThat’s it. A selfless act of grace, forgivenessโ from a grieving widow. โItโข touched me deeply.”
Despite Disney’s decision to โฃbring the show back, Sinclair and Nexstar affiliates continued to preempt the program in select markets following the announcement. Disney stated โขit “spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with โJimmy.”
