US comedian Jimmy Kimmel will return to his late-night talk show on Tuesday, following a suspension over jokes related to conservative influencer Charlie Kirk’s death.
Disney, which owns ABC, the network airing ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’, said it had paused the show due to “ill-timed and insensitive” comments. Kimmel’s remarks, made during a monologue on 15 September, sparked outrage after he criticized Trump’s response and called out the “Maga gang” for politicizing Kirk’s death. The suspension drew sharp criticism from First Amendment advocates, who labeled the move as censorship. Meanwhile, President Trump welcomed the suspension, calling for media licences to be revoked for “unfair coverage.”
Although Disney has confirmed Kimmel’s return, key broadcast partners remain cautious. Sinclair, the largest ABC affiliate group, announced it will replace ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ with news content for now and is in ongoing talks with ABC. Nexstar Media, another major station owner, also stated it wouldn’t air the show “for the foreseeable future” and has not commented since the reinstatement was announced. Kimmel himself has yet to address the backlash publicly. The controversy has reignited national debate over comedy, media responsibility, and the boundaries of free speech in the US.
The controversy has divided viewers, with some defending Kimmel’s right to satire, while others argue comedians must show restraint when addressing sensitive national tragedies. ABC insiders revealed concerns over advertiser pressure following Kimmel’s remarks, suggesting business interests may have influenced the network’s decision. Meanwhile, Kimmel’s team is reportedly revising future scripts to avoid similar backlash and ensure compliance with network standards.
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