Kimmel Appeals to Free Speech in Late-Night Return

Jimmy Kimmel returned to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, after ABC and its parent company, Disney, suspended the program. The pause followed backlash over remarks interpreted as linking conservatives to the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk. During the opening monologue, Kimmel addressed the tragedy and argued that free speech protections should safeguard programs like his.

“You understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man... I don’t think there’s anything funny about it,” Kimmel said. “I posted a message on Instagram on the day he was killed, sending love to his family and asking for compassion, and I meant it, and I still do.” The host emphasized that his words targeted the actions of one “disturbed individual,” not any broader group.

Kimmel expressed gratitude to supporters during the suspension, a list that spanned political divides. Conservatives such as Ben Shapiro, Clay Travis, Candace Owens, Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul, and Ted Cruz voiced support for his right to speak freely. “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,” he explained.

The host also condemned pressure from the Trump administration and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr to limit political content on air. “They pulled my friend Stephen [Colbert] off the air and tried to coerce the affiliates... to take my show off the air. That’s not legal. That’s not American. That is un-American. And it is so dangerous,” Kimmel said. He pointed to the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which occurred after CBS settled a lawsuit from President Trump, though the network described the move as a financial choice.

Kimmel voiced appreciation for Disney’s decision to reinstate the program. “I’ve been fortunate to work at a company that has allowed me to do the show the way we want to do it for almost 23 years... Every night, they’ve defended my right to poke fun at our leaders,” he stated.

ABC and Disney restored Jimmy Kimmel Live! for national broadcast, yet Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group opted to preempt the episode on dozens of local ABC affiliates. “Mr. Kimmel’s remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country,” said Sinclair Vice Chairman Jason Smith. The company urged Kimmel to deliver a direct apology to the Kirk family.