<\/p>\n
Jimmy Kimmel\u2019s show drew its biggest audience in a decade on Tuesday, with more than 6.2 million viewers tuning in for his return after a suspension over comments about Charlie Kirk\u2019s killing.<\/p>\n
Kimmel\u2019s tearful opening monologue<\/a> on Tuesday night was also a hit on social media, achieving 26 million views in the hours after clips of the show were shared across all major platforms.<\/p>\n In it, the late-night show host aired video of Donald Trump speaking from Air Force One, saying that Kimmel has \u201cno talent\u201d and \u201cno ratings\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I do tonight!\u201d said the host, as the studio audience stood in applause. \u201cYou almost have to feel sorry for him.\u201d<\/p>\n Kimmel went on to say that it was \u201cnever my intention\u201d to make fun of the death of Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative firebrand who was shot dead while speaking at a Utah university<\/a>.<\/p>\n Credit: ABC\/Jimmy Kimmel Live<\/span><\/p>\n ABC said 6.26 million viewers watched the episode. About 1.6 million viewers usually tune in to watch Kimmel, according to last year\u2019s Nielsen ratings.<\/p>\n Kimmel achieved the ratings milestone even though his programme did not reach about one-quarter of American households after local affiliate stations refused to air the episode<\/a>.<\/p>\n The late-night host had claimed during his monologue on last week\u2019s show that the US president\u2019s Maga movement<\/a> had \u201cdesperately\u201d tried to distance themselves from the alleged assassin\u2019s ideology<\/a> and accused Republicans of trying to \u201cscore political points\u201d from Kirk\u2019s killing.<\/p>\n He also mocked the president\u2019s reaction to the death.<\/p>\n