Jimmy Kimmel made a dramatic comeback to late-night television, opening his show with a deeply emotional message.
He told viewers he never meant to make light of Charlie Kirk’s death, while also taking a direct stand against what he called President Trump’s attempts to silence him.
The “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” host spent nearly 20 minutes delivering a fiery monologue that mixed heartfelt reflection with sharp criticism of the Trump administration’s approach to censorship.
His comments earned him a standing ovation from the studio audience.
Standing Up Against Censorship
Kimmel reminded viewers that silencing a comedian just because the government doesn’t like his jokes is, in his words, “anti-American.”
He admitted that putting him back on the air was a big gamble for ABC, the network he has worked with for over two decades.
“The president has made it very clear he wants me — and the hundreds of people who work here — gone,” Kimmel said, pointing out that Trump has openly celebrated the idea of Americans losing their jobs over jokes he doesn’t like.
Breaking Down Over Charlie Kirk
The most emotional moment came when Kimmel addressed his controversial remarks about Kirk.
His voice cracked as he clarified that he never wanted to make fun of the murder of a young man.
“I don’t think there’s anything funny about it,” he said, nearly in tears.
He insisted that while his words may have come across poorly, his intention was never to blame any group or to downplay the tragedy.
Targeting the FCC
Kimmel didn’t hold back when it came to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, accusing him of behaving in a way that was both “un-American” and “not legal.”
Carr had recently threatened to go after late-night comedians like Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers.
Calling it a violation of the First Amendment, Kimmel even joked that Carr was “the most embarrassing car Republicans have embraced since this one,” before showing a photo of a Trump-branded Tesla.
Critics Say His Words Fell Short
Despite his emotional address, many conservatives were quick to dismiss Kimmel’s return.
Andrew Kolvet, who once co-hosted with Kirk, blasted him on X, saying Kimmel owed the family a direct apology for falsely linking the shooting to MAGA supporters.
Other critics labeled his speech a performance of “denial and deflection.”
Some accused him of playing the victim while refusing to take responsibility, while others vowed to boycott ABC entirely for putting him back on the air.
Support From Hollywood
If Kimmel didn’t win over his critics, he certainly found strong backing in Hollywood.
Stars like Ben Stiller praised his monologue, calling it “brilliant,” while Keith Olbermann described it as one of the best apologies he’d ever seen.
Actor Robert De Niro even joined in, appearing on the show to play a parody version of Carr in a sketch.
The ACLU also got involved, circulating a letter signed by more than 400 celebrities, including pop star Olivia Rodrigo, condemning Disney’s decision to suspend Kimmel in the first place.
Trump Fires Back
Trump didn’t wait until after the show to react.
Hours before Kimmel’s return, he blasted ABC for giving the comedian his job back, calling it an “illegal campaign contribution” to Democrats.
On Truth Social, he claimed Kimmel had “no ratings,” “no talent,” and that his show was nothing but partisan propaganda.
Kimmel, for his part, fired back during his monologue, joking that Trump’s attempt to cancel him had only boosted his ratings.
“He tried his best to cancel me, and instead he forced millions of people to watch the show,” he said with a smirk.
Boycotts and Blackouts
Not everyone across the country even got the chance to watch.
Some ABC affiliates owned by conservative-leaning companies like Sinclair and Nexstar refused to air the program, instead broadcasting local news, weather reports, and community features.
Screenshots quickly spread online showing blackouts in major cities.
Still, inside the studio, the atmosphere was electric.
Audience members said they were deeply moved, especially when Kimmel spoke about Kirk’s wife.
Closing With Forgiveness
Kimmel ended his return with one final tribute to Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika.
He described her decision to forgive as a remarkable act of grace, something he said everyone could learn from.
“If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, that was it,” Kimmel said, holding back tears.
“A grieving widow offering forgiveness. That touched me deeply, and I hope it touches others too.”