- Jimmy Kimmel Live! returns to ABC after a week-long suspension over controversial comments regarding Charlie Kirk’s killing.
- Major ABC affiliates Nexstar and Sinclair have chosen not to air the show, citing concerns about the monologue’s timing and sensitivity.
- Kimmel had criticized President Trump and allies for politicizing the murder, sparking public backlash and FCC scrutiny.
- Disney lifted the suspension after discussions with Kimmel, calling the earlier comments “ill-timed and insensitive.”
- Hundreds of celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston and Robert De Niro, publicly supported Kimmel, framing the suspension as a free speech issue.
- The return episode features Glen Powell as the guest and Yungblud as the musical act.
Jimmy Kimmel is officially back on ABC after a week-long suspension triggered by his remarks about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. However, several local ABC affiliates, including Nexstar and Sinclair, have announced they will continue to preempt the show with regular programming.
The controversy began when Kimmel, during his 15 September monologue, criticized President Trump and allies for attempting to politicize the murder. He likened the political reaction to “how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish,” sparking a wave of outrage and regulatory scrutiny. The Federal Communications Commission, chaired by a Trump appointee, threatened ABC with potential penalties over the comments.
Despite Disney, the network’s parent company, lifting the suspension and announcing Kimmel’s return, Nexstar and Sinclair insisted they would not air the program on Tuesday. Sinclair’s vice-chairman, Jason Smith, said Kimmel’s remarks were “inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment.” Nexstar echoed the sentiment, citing a commitment to “respectful, constructive dialogue” in their markets.
The return episode will feature actor Glen Powell and musical guest Yungblud, marking Kimmel’s comeback to late-night television. Kimmel, who posted an image with legendary TV creator Norman Lear on Instagram, has received wide celebrity support. A coalition of actors, including Meryl Streep, Jennifer Aniston, and Robert De Niro, condemned the suspension, calling it a threat to free speech.
The incident has also raised concerns about safety. On Friday, police arrested a man who fired a gun into the lobby of an ABC affiliate in Sacramento. Investigators found a note in his car that suggested the attack was politically motivated.
As Kimmel returns to the airwaves, the episode underscores the ongoing tension between political commentary, network decisions, and First Amendment issues in the US.
