Jimmy Kimmel has criticized anti-American threats to free speech during an emotional return to late-night US television - following a brief suspension after his comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Through tears, the comedian said during Tuesday's comeback show that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. Kimmel accused the head of the organization that regulates American TV of mob tactics, and poked fun at President Donald Trump's appearance at the UN. But Tuesday's episode was not available to viewers in all markets, due to opposition from some local stations affiliated with Kimmel's network ABC.
Those broadcasters, run by the companies Nexstar and Sinclair, reportedly account for about one in five of ABC's local stations in the US. Kimmel's broadcast, however, was available on streaming service Hulu + Live TV, owned by ABC's parent company Disney. Trump, who had welcomed the comedian's suspension, criticized the reinstatement, writing: I can't believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back.
Kimmel Live! had been pulled after the host's statements about Kirk's murder caused an uproar earlier this month. In a monologue at the time, Kimmel indicated that Trump and his allies were trying to characterize the young man who murdered Charlie Kirk in a positive light and attempting to score political points. He compared Trump’s reaction to Kirk's death to how a young child grieves for a pet.
Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at a university event in Utah on September 10. Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with murder. On Tuesday's program, Kimmel emphasized he didn’t want to blame any specific group for Kirk's murder, acknowledging that his comments may have upset some viewers.
Kimmel praised Erika Kirk for forgiving her husband's alleged killer, calling it a selfless act of grace... that touched me deeply. He also criticized Trump’s attacks on late-night hosts in general, labeling them as un-American and dangerous.
Kimmel also blasted Brendan Carr from the FCC, accusing him of using censorship tactics against him. Joined by Hollywood legend Robert De Niro, they hinted at Carr's flip from a free speech advocate to someone advocating for censorship after Kimmel's remarks. De Niro quipped, Speech, it ain’t free no more.
While some celebrities praised Kimmel's comeback, including actor Ben Stiller for the brilliant monologue, others like Trump wrote unfavorably about Kimmel's return, questioning ABC's decision. Trump's opposition came at a time when local TV affiliates announced plans to air alternative programming instead of Kimmel's show, pending discussions with ABC about respectful dialogue in the markets they serve. The controversy surrounding Kimmel has incited wider discussions about free speech and censorship in media.
Those broadcasters, run by the companies Nexstar and Sinclair, reportedly account for about one in five of ABC's local stations in the US. Kimmel's broadcast, however, was available on streaming service Hulu + Live TV, owned by ABC's parent company Disney. Trump, who had welcomed the comedian's suspension, criticized the reinstatement, writing: I can't believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back.
Kimmel Live! had been pulled after the host's statements about Kirk's murder caused an uproar earlier this month. In a monologue at the time, Kimmel indicated that Trump and his allies were trying to characterize the young man who murdered Charlie Kirk in a positive light and attempting to score political points. He compared Trump’s reaction to Kirk's death to how a young child grieves for a pet.
Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at a university event in Utah on September 10. Tyler Robinson, 22, has been charged with murder. On Tuesday's program, Kimmel emphasized he didn’t want to blame any specific group for Kirk's murder, acknowledging that his comments may have upset some viewers.
Kimmel praised Erika Kirk for forgiving her husband's alleged killer, calling it a selfless act of grace... that touched me deeply. He also criticized Trump’s attacks on late-night hosts in general, labeling them as un-American and dangerous.
Kimmel also blasted Brendan Carr from the FCC, accusing him of using censorship tactics against him. Joined by Hollywood legend Robert De Niro, they hinted at Carr's flip from a free speech advocate to someone advocating for censorship after Kimmel's remarks. De Niro quipped, Speech, it ain’t free no more.
While some celebrities praised Kimmel's comeback, including actor Ben Stiller for the brilliant monologue, others like Trump wrote unfavorably about Kimmel's return, questioning ABC's decision. Trump's opposition came at a time when local TV affiliates announced plans to air alternative programming instead of Kimmel's show, pending discussions with ABC about respectful dialogue in the markets they serve. The controversy surrounding Kimmel has incited wider discussions about free speech and censorship in media.
