Jimmy Kimmel returned to late-night television with an emotional explanation, stating he never intended “to make light” of Charlie Kirk’s death.
He also delivered a forceful rebuke of President Donald Trump’s so-called push to censor comedians.
The host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! opened Tuesday’s show with a 20-minute monologue that honored supporters from across the political spectrum and criticized Trump’s administration for what he described as heavy-handed attempts to silence him.
“A government threat to silence a comedian the government doesn’t like is anti-American,” Kimmel declared, prompting a standing ovation from his audience.
Kimmel acknowledged that ABC, his network employer for more than 20 years, faced major risks by reinstating him.
“Unfortunately, and I think unjustly, this puts them at risk,” he said.
“The president of the United States made it very clear he wants to see me and the hundreds of people who work here fired from their job. Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke.”
Kimmel broke down when discussing comments he made about Kirk’s assassination.
“I have no illusions about changing anyone’s mind, but I do want to make something clear, because it’s important to me as a human and that is, 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,” he said through tears.
He then turned his attention to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, labeling Carr’s threats toward late-night hosts “not legal” and “un-American.”
Kimmel argued that Carr’s warnings to comedians Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers violated the First Amendment.
He also mocked Carr by showing a photo of a Trump-branded Tesla, joking: “Brendan Carr is the most embarrassing car Republicans have embraced since this one.”
The apology did little to calm conservative critics who argued Kimmel’s return was undeserved.
Andrew Kolvet, Kirk’s former co-host, wrote on X: “Not good enough. Jimmy, it’s simple. Here’s what you need to say: ‘I’m sorry for saying the shooter was MAGA. He was not. He was of the left. I apologize to the Kirk family for lying. Please accept my sincere apology. I will do better. I was wrong.’”
The Daily Mail reported that just a week after his program was pulled from the air over comments about Kirk’s death, Kimmel thanked both his supporters and detractors, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who defended his right to speak.
“It takes courage for them to speak out against this administration,” Kimmel said. “They did and they deserve credit for it.”
He also mocked Trump for taunting him over ratings. “He tried his best to cancel me and instead he forced millions of people to watch this show,” Kimmel said.
Trump had led the outrage before the broadcast, threatening to sue ABC for bringing Kimmel back.
On Truth Social, Trump wrote: “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. He is yet another arm of the DNC and, to the best of my knowledge, that would be a major Illegal Campaign Contribution.”
Critics echoed Trump’s frustration, per X posts piled together by the Daily Mail.
Commentator Kelly Holmes said, “Tonight, Jimmy Kimmel’s return to the airwaves was nothing short of a masterclass in denial and deflection. His so-called apology was a carefully crafted tapestry of lies, where he conveniently forgot to mention the very group he smeared.”
Jack Posobiec added: “In typical leftist fashion, Jimmy makes the victim himself.”
Another critic charged: “Jimmy Kimmel DID NOT apologize or tell the truth tonight in his first show back from suspension.”
Others vowed boycotts.
One wrote: “ABC I have canceled all streaming services connected to you. I will no longer watch anything and I mean ANYTHING that is tainted by you.”
“You condone the assassination of a man of God by putting Jimmy Kimmel back on you have proven you are against Christians and for murder.”
Hollywood voices offered a sharp contrast.
Actor Ben Stiller praised the segment as a “brilliant monologue,” while Jon Favreau of Pod Save America called it “outstanding.” Keith Olbermann labeled it “the best apology I’ve ever seen.”
Actor Robert De Niro joined the show in a sketch, impersonating Carr.
“Sticks and stones can break your bones,” De Niro quipped in character, when Kimmel asked about the FCC’s approach to words.
During his monologue, Kimmel stressed that he did not intend to blame any specific group for Kirk’s death.
“It was obviously a deeply disturbed individual,” he said.
“That was really in the opposite of the point I was trying to make, but I understand that to some that felt either ill-timed or unclear, or maybe both.”
He also joked that Trump’s criticisms boosted ratings: “Well, I do tonight! [Trump] tried his best to cancel me, instead he forced millions of people to watch the show. That backfired bigly.”
