Late night television is once again Kimmel’s turf. After being abruptly suspended over a monologue about right wing activist Charlie Kirk, Jimmy Kimmel Live! is officially returning to ABC on Tuesday night.
The suspension followed Kimmel’s biting commentary on Kirk’s murder, where he accused MAGA loyalists of twisting the narrative. That monologue lit a fuse, drawing fury from conservative media, affiliates, and the Trump camp, yet it also sparked a powerful wave of support from Hollywood.
More than 430 actors, directors, and comedians, from Robert De Niro and Jennifer Aniston to Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, signed an American Civil Liberties Union letter condemning the suspension as “a dark moment for freedom of speech.” Outside the Los Angeles studio, fans held signs declaring their allegiance: We love Jimmy Kimmel.
ABC’s about face came after what it described as “thoughtful conversations” with the comedian. Behind the scenes, pressure was mounting. Affiliates Nexstar and Sinclair had dropped the show entirely, while Whoopi Goldberg and The View slammed Disney for caving. Meanwhile, Trump called Kimmel’s suspension “great news for America” and doubled down on his demand to silence other late night hosts.
Kimmel’s return comes against a fraught backdrop. The Trump administration has been openly hostile to the media, leaning on lawsuits, settlements, and even FCC warnings. FCC chair Brendan Carr recently threatened action if networks failed to rein in hosts like Kimmel.
Since launching Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2003, Kimmel has become a staple of American late night, juggling celebrity roasts with political jabs. He’s hosted the Academy Awards four times and made a career out of skewering power. This latest battle might be his most defining, one where free speech, politics, and entertainment collided under a single spotlight.
With Kimmel’s reinstatement, the fight is far from over. The question now is whether late night comedy will survive as a space for sharp political critique, or buckle under pressure from those in power.
Story Credit: ABC
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