Los Angeles, September 24, 2025 — Jimmy Kimmel made a high-spirited comeback to late-night television on Tuesday, greeted with a standing ovation and chants of “Jimmy, Jimmy” from his audience, following a week-long suspension that stirred nationwide debate on media freedom.
The suspension came after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr and several network affiliates raised objections to Kimmel’s monologue on the MAGA movement’s response to the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. The move sparked fierce discussions over free speech, government involvement in media, and political polarization between Donald Trump supporters and the longtime TV host.
Kimmel opened his first episode since September 16 with an emotional nod to Jack Paar’s 1960 return to The Tonight Show, beginning with: “As I was saying before I was interrupted…,” a line that drew loud applause.
He used the moment to reaffirm the value of free expression. “Our government cannot be allowed to control what we do and do not say on television,” Kimmel said. Addressing the controversy, he clarified that his remarks were not intended to mock Kirk’s death. “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I sent love and compassion to his family then, and I still do now.”
Kimmel stressed that the perpetrator of the killing was a “deeply disturbed individual,” not representative of any political group. He also highlighted his own ties across the political spectrum, saying, “I have many friends and family on the other side whom I love, even though we disagree.”
Reflecting on the global fight for artistic freedom, Kimmel pointed out that comedians in Russia and the Middle East risk imprisonment for challenging those in power. “Our freedom to speak is what they admire most about this country…something I took for granted until they tried to take my show off the air. That is un-American,” he declared.
Balancing sincerity with satire, Kimmel lightened the mood by mocking Donald Trump’s past criticisms of his ratings. “He did his best to cancel me. Instead, he forced millions of people to watch the show. That backfired bigly,” he joked.
Kimmel’s return not only reassured fans but also reignited national debate on the boundaries of media freedom and the role of satire in democracy.
