ABC briefly paused Jimmy Kimmel Live! after Jimmy Kimmel’s September 15 comments about Charlie Kirk’s passing sparked controversy. The move caused widespread backlash, including an open letter from the ACLU signed by over 400 Hollywood figures such as Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, and Jennifer Aniston. Many supporters argued the decision was a blow to free speech and creativity in entertainment. After days of public debate, ABC announced on September 23 that the show would return to its regular schedule.
In his comeback monologue, Kimmel explained that he never intended to make light of the tragedy or blame any group for what happened. He emphasized that his words were misunderstood and apologized to those who felt hurt by the comments. Kimmel also spoke about the importance of free speech and called attempts to silence comedians “anti-American.” He reminded viewers that comedy should challenge ideas but never disrespect real-life pain.
Donald Trump criticized both ABC and Kimmel on social media shortly after the episode aired. He claimed the network made a mistake by bringing Kimmel back and hinted at possible legal action. Meanwhile, two major affiliate groups, Sinclair and Nexstar, chose not to air the show in certain areas. They stated they were waiting for a stronger commitment to respectful and constructive dialogue. As a result, nearly 25% of ABC stations did not broadcast the episode.
Despite these setbacks, Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+. Fans can also watch through other online services like YouTubeTV and Sling. Earlier this year, Simpsons writer Dan Greaney went viral for joking “predictions” about Trump’s political future. Kimmel himself has delivered emotional monologues about past elections and major political events. The show continues to be a platform for both humor and commentary on current events.