Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel will return to the air on Tuesday after being temporarily decreased after controversy over the recent assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. Kimmel experienced criticism because he was allegedly ‘offensive and insensitive’ due to comments made on his program last Monday. In that episode, he accused President Donald Trump and his allies of trying to utilize Kirk’s death for political gain. Disney confirmed that Kimmel would broadcast in its usual time slot, ending the short suspension that would cause widespread discussions about free speech and censorship in the media. “We spent the last days with thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after these conversations we made the decision to return the show on Tuesday,” a network statement states. What led to the suspension Kimmel, which Jimmy Kimmel offered! Since 2003, it has been suspended indefinitely after comments in a monologue after Kirk’s death on September 10. “A lot in Maga country works very hard to use the murder of Charlie Kirk … The Maga gang is desperately trying to characterize this child who killed Charlie Kirk than anything other than one of them,” Kimmel said. The remarks caused immediate setback, with ABC subsidiaries Nexstar and Sinclair taking the show out of their stations. Political and industrial reactions President Donald Trump weighed on social media, praised the suspension and asked other hosts to be fired in the late night. Meanwhile, Hollywood conspired behind Kimmel. “We have to fight to defend and preserve our constitutionally protected rights,” says an open letter of more than 430 film, TV and stage stars, including Robert de Niro, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Aniston and Lin-Manuel Miranda, coordinated by American Civil Liberties Union. Earlier this year, Kimmel himself expressed concern about possible government pressure on comedians. “Well, you have to be naive not to worry a little. But that can’t change what you do, ‘he told Variety. FCC chairman Brendan Carr publicly criticized Kimmel’s remarks and warned networks about possible consequences. “We can do it in the easy way or in the difficult way … These businesses can find ways to change behavior, to act honestly on Kimmel, or there will be extra work for the FCC ahead,” Carr said. Observers have noted that the suspension has coincided with broader pressure on the media landscape, including lawsuits by Trump and congress actions affecting public broadcasters such as NPR and PBS.
Jimmy Kimmel’s performance to return to ABC to suspension over Charlie Kirk commentary
