Jimmy Kimmel is set to return to late-night television after nearly a weeklong suspension by ABC, a move that ignited national debate over freedom of speech and presidential influence on media. Last Wednesday, ABC suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following Kimmel’s controversial remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In his monologue, Kimmel suggested that supporters of Donald Trump were attempting to distance themselves from Tyler Robinson, the Utah man charged with Kirk’s killing, despite Robinson’s conservative upbringing and recent political shift to the left, according to his mother.
The suspension prompted backlash from prominent figures and organizations. Two major ABC affiliate groups, Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group—representing about a quarter of ABC affiliates—announced they would not air Kimmel’s return, demanding assurances of respectful dialogue.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by Trump, accused Kimmel of misleading the public and hinted at regulatory action if ABC did not address the issue. Republican Senator Ted Cruz criticized Carr’s stance, likening it to mob tactics. High-profile entertainers and the American Civil Liberties Union denounced ABC’s suspension as a threat to free speech, with some consumers canceling Disney streaming subscriptions in protest.
Former President Trump, who has often been the subject of Kimmel’s criticism, celebrated the suspension and falsely claimed the show was canceled. The Trump administration has a history of pressuring media companies through lawsuits and funding threats.
ABC and Disney executives spent several days negotiating Kimmel’s return, ultimately stating that while his comments were “ill-timed and thus insensitive,” they were not misleading. The controversy arrives during a period of transition for late-night television, with declining viewership and the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show announced for later this year.
How Kimmel will address the controversy on his first show back remains unknown, but his return is expected to draw significant attention.
