Jimmy Kimmel returned to TV last night and wasted no time in taking a dig at Donald Trump.
Kimmel returned to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday night after nearly a week of suspension, opening with both jokes and an emotional reflection on the controversy that sidelined him.
The host, who had been pulled off the air following comments he made about the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s murder, walked out to a standing ovation before delivering his monologue.
Kirk Takes Swipe At Trump - Before Addressing Kirk's Family
"I'm not sure who had a weirder 48 hours — me, or the CEO of Tylenol," Kimmel began, noting Trump's recent announcement that Tylenol and autism could be linked.
The late-night host choked up as he spoke about Kirk, the conservative activist killed on September 10.
"I've been hearing a lot about what I need to say and do tonight," Kimmel told the audience. "
"And the truth is, I don't think what I have to say is going to make much of a difference … I have no illusions about changing anyone's mind."
He stressed that "it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man," noting that he had previously posted a message on Instagram offering condolences to Kirk’s family.
Still, he acknowledged why some people had been upset by his earlier remarks.
Free Speech, Disney, and Political Pressure
Kimmel used the moment to issue a broader warning about threats to free speech: "This show isn't important — what's important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this."
He also admitted that bringing his program back to air put Disney, which owns ABC, "at risk," arguing that the president "can't take a joke. We have to speak out against it."
Not long after his taping wrapped, President Donald Trump blasted ABC for reinstating Kimmel, writing on Truth Social: "I can't believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back.
"The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled!
"Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his 'talent' was never there.
"Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who's not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE."
Trump suggested that Kimmel’s show amounted to an "Illegal Campaign Contribution" to Democrats, adding: "I think we're going to test ABC out on this."
FCC Pressure and Affiliate Boycotts
Kimmel’s suspension came after he characterized Tyler Robinson, the suspect accused of killing Kirk, as being aligned with the MAGA movement.
"We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it," he said on his September 15 broadcast.
His comments drew sharp criticism from FCC chair Brendan Carr, who told podcaster Benny Johnson: "We can do this the easy way or the hard way.
"These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead."
Carr urged local affiliates to refuse to run Jimmy Kimmel Live! — and major broadcasters complied, per NPR.
Both Nexstar and Sinclair, which operate ABC stations across the country, pulled the show from their lineups and said they would continue preempting it despite Disney’s announcement that Kimmel would return to his regular 11:35pm ET slot.
Sinclair explained: "Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show's potential return."
Nexstar, which is seeking FCC approval for a multibillion-dollar merger with TEGNA, issued its own statement: "Pending assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve," it would continue to withhold the program.