Oscar Villanueva holds a sign outside El Capitan Entertainment Centre, where the late-night show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" is staged, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)
ABC has decided to bring back Jimmy Kimmel Live! after suspending its host over remarks tied to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The show will return Tuesday, the network announced.
In a statement, ABC said it reached the decision following “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel in recent days. The network suspended him indefinitely last week after comments during a monologue on September 10 sparked backlash.
Kimmel suggested that “many in MAGA land” were attempting to exploit Kirk’s murder and accused the movement of trying to portray the shooter as “anything other than one of them.”
Divided Reactions
Kimmel, who has hosted the late-night show since 2003, faced swift criticism. Two of ABC’s largest affiliate owners, Nexstar and Sinclair, announced they would no longer air his program. Sinclair confirmed Monday it would continue to block Tuesday’s broadcast, replacing it with news coverage. Discussions with ABC are still ongoing. Nexstar has not commented on its next steps.
Meanwhile, some comedians rallied behind Kimmel. Stephen Colbert celebrated the news of his return, joking during his own show that “our long national, late nightmare is over.” Holding his recent Emmy Award, Colbert quipped, “Once more, I am the only martyr on late night.”
Conservative figures reacted differently. Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, founded by Kirk, criticized Disney and ABC’s move to reinstate Kimmel. Former President Donald Trump, a frequent target of Kimmel’s jokes, earlier called the suspension “great news for America” and urged networks to fire other late-night hosts. He has yet to respond to ABC’s reversal.
Political and Business Pressures
The controversy unfolded against a tense media backdrop. Trump and his administration have pursued lawsuits and other measures to pressure news organizations. Federal funding for NPR and PBS has been stripped, and lawsuits were filed against outlets including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
Brendan Carr, head of the Federal Communications Commission, had criticized Kimmel’s comments but denied threatening ABC’s broadcast licenses. “Jimmy Kimmel is in the situation he’s in because of his ratings,” Carr said on Monday at the Concordia Annual Summit.
Industry observers note Disney and its affiliates also face regulatory approvals for major deals, including Disney’s ESPN bid for the NFL Network. Nexstar and Sinclair similarly rely on FCC decisions for acquisitions and rule changes, placing the Kimmel controversy within a larger business and political context.
Free Speech Debate
Kimmel’s suspension ignited a wider debate about freedom of expression. More than 430 prominent figures — including Robert De Niro, Jennifer Aniston, Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, and Lin-Manuel Miranda — signed an open letter through the American Civil Liberties Union condemning the decision. The letter called the suspension “a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation.”
Daytime program The View also broke its silence. Whoopi Goldberg opened Monday’s show with the words, “No one silences us,” as the panel denounced Disney’s handling of the controversy.
Looking Ahead
Kimmel’s contract with Disney runs until May 2026. His representatives have not commented on his reinstatement. For now, the comedian is set to return to the air, while ABC, its affiliates, and the broader industry continue to grapple with the fallout of a controversy that has placed late-night television, free speech, and political pressure in sharp focus.
