Jimmy Kimmel Gets Emotional After Return From Suspension, Thanks Supporters

Jimmy Kimmel has drawn attention after returning to his talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, for the first time since his suspension over remarks about Charlie Kirk. Broadcast cameras captured the late-night host fighting back tears during his monologue, as he addressed the controversy and spoke about the importance of free speech.

Jimmy Kimmel addresses suspension after return to TV

Kimmel returned to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 23, 2025, following his six-day suspension from ABC. He began with news clips on the controversy before addressing the audience with humor and emotion.

“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said, clarifying his earlier remarks on the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He also noted, “Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what was obviously a deeply disturbed individual.”

Kimmel expressed gratitude to fellow late-night hosts and others in the entertainment industry who supported him, naming Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver, and Conan O’Brien. He also acknowledged unlikely defenders, including Ben Shapiro, Candace Owens, Mitch McConnell, and Ted Cruz, remarking, “It takes courage for them to speak out against this administration, and they did, and they deserve credit for it.” He highlighted Erika Kirk’s public forgiveness of her husband’s killer, calling it a “selfless act of grace.”

The host turned his focus to freedom of speech, criticizing efforts to silence late-night voices. “[Freedom of speech is] something I’m embarrassed to say I took for granted until they pulled my friend Stephen [Colbert] off the air,” Kimmel said. He also cited FCC chairman Brendan Carr’s years-old warning to broadcasters, quoting, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” which he called a direct violation of the First Amendment.

Kimmel responded to Donald Trump’s criticism, showing a clip of the president calling him talentless and that he “had no ratings.” Kimmel countered, “Well, I do tonight!” as the audience applauded. While acknowledging his frustration with ABC’s suspension, he thanked the network for allowing his return. He then urged the public to oppose further attempts to cancel late-night hosts.

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