The late-night host said he never intended to “make light” of Charlie Kirk’s murder but critics note he offered no direct apology.
Jimmy Kimmel returned to late-night television Tuesday after a weeklong suspension from ABC, greeted by a standing ovation and chants of “Jimmy, Jimmy” from his studio audience.
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! Host opened with an emotional monologue that critics say stopped short of a direct apology for his comments following civil rights leader Charlie Kirk’s assassination on Sept. 10.
Kimmel referenced Jack Paar’s famous 1960 departure from The Tonight Show and thanked fans, along with political opponents, for supporting his right to speak freely. “Our government cannot be allowed to control what we do and do not say on television,” he told viewers, according to Deadline.
He addressed backlash over his remarks, saying, “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. … Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group. … This was a sick person,” Kimmel said, as reported by Variety.
Kimmel involved in Kirk’s widow, Erika, who made headlines after publicly forgiving the alleged killer over the weekend. “That is an example we should follow. If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do … a selfless act of grace forgiveness from a grieving widow. It touched me deeply,” he said.
But Kimmel stopped short of acknowledging he was wrong. Instead, he framed his situation as part of a broader free-speech struggle, claiming Disney executives put him “at risk from Trump” by allowing him back on air.
He joked that the former president’s criticism of his ratings “backfired bigly” after his return drew millions of viewers.
Kimmel also thanked figures across the political spectrum—from Stephn Colbert to conservative lawmakers such as Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas)—for backing his right to speak. “Even though I don’t agree with many of those people on most subjects … it takes courage for them to speak out against this administration,” he said.
The episode concluded with a satirical skit featuring Robert De Niro as head of the FCC, before Kimmel resumed his trademark jokes about Trump and hosted actor Glen Powell.
For conservatives still reeling from Kirk’s murder, Kimmel’s monologue is unlikely to be viewed as contrition. Rather, it positions the host as a free-speech martyr while comparing his words to Erika Kirk’s act of Christian forgiveness — a parallel critics argue diminishes the gravity of her grace and the tragedy itself.
