Jimmy Kimmel made his return to ABC on Tuesday night, days after being suspended by the network after threats came from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, and hopeful statements from President Donald Trump that he would be fired and replaced.
Kimmel did not avoid the topic of his suspension or his comments about Charlie Kirk’s shooter in opening his monologue.
He clarified his statements about Kirk’s shooter, saying it was never his intention to create controversy or cause strife to a grieving family.
“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” he said, fighting back tears. “I don’t think there’s anything funny about it. I posted a message on Instagram the day he was killed, sending love to his family and asking for compassion, and I meant it and still do. Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what was obviously a deeply disturbed individual. That was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make.
“But I understand that, to some, it felt either ill-timed or unclear, or maybe both,” he continued. “And for those who think I did point a finger, I get why you’re upset.”
Jimmy Kimmel never officially apologized for his comments, only stating that he was misunderstood about his intentions after calling Charlie Kirk’s shooter a “member of the MAGA gang.”
On social media, reactions to Kimmel’s opening monologue were mixed, largely along party lines. Some applauded the monologue — especially the portions directed at President Donald Trump and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr — while others claimed that Kimmel was attempting to paint himself as the victim.
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