Jimmy Kimmel returned to television (T.V) on Tuesday night. September 23, 2025, delivering a monologue in which he described government attempts to suppress comedians as “anti-American.”
His remarks came after ABC suspended his late-night program under political pressure, sparking a heated debate over free speech.
“This show is not important,” Kimmel told viewers. “What’s important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.”
The comedian’s comments followed Disney’s decision to reinstate Jimmy Kimmel Live! after a week-long suspension.
The network had pulled the show after Kimmel’s September 15 monologue on the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk drew criticisms from Trump officials and conservative allies.
During his return, Kimmel emphasized that he did not intend to make light of the murder. “I don’t think there’s anything funny about it,” he said, adding that his words may have come a cross as ill- timed or unclear.
He thanked fellow late-night host, Hollywood supporters and viewers who stood by him during the suspension.
“And most of all I want to thank the people who don’t support my show and what I believe, but support my right to share that belief anyway,” he said.
Kimmel also indicted Donald Trump of attempting to cancel his program. “The president of the United States made it veritably clear he wants to see me and the hundreds of people who work then fired from our jobs,” he said.
“One thing I did learn from Lenny Bruce and George Carlin and Howard Stern is that a government trouble to silence a comedian is anti-American."
The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! drew strong backlash from Hollywood figures, unions, and free speech advocates.
More than 400 actors and artists, including Jennifer Aniston, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, and Robert De Niro, signed an open letter condemning Disney’s move.
Although ABC restored the show, chapter network possessed by Sinclair and Nexstar continued to block its broadcast, demanding further action from Kimmel before allowing it back on air. The program remains available on Hulu, Disney and others platforms.
Kimmel ended his monologue by reflecting on the remarks of Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk, who forgave her husband’s killer at his memorial service.
“That is an example we should follow,” Kimmel said. “If there’s anything we should take from this tragedy to carry forward, I hope it can be that, not this.”