In a highly anticipated and emotional return to his show, Jimmy Kimmel pulled no punches in sending a clear and defiant message to President Donald Trump, directly addressing the political firestorm that led to his controversial suspension. Back on the air after a six-day hiatus, Kimmel used his opening monologue not only to offer a heartfelt apology but also to lay down a marker for the future of late-night comedy in a polarized America.
“I’m happy to be here tonight,” a visibly emotional Kimmel told his audience, opening with a raw and personal reflection on the events that led to his temporary removal. He clarified that it was “never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man” and said he understood how his initial comments about the killing of Charlie Kirk might have been perceived as “ill-timed or unclear.”
But what followed was a direct and unsparing message to the President. Kimmel took aim at Trump’s social media posts celebrating his suspension and ridiculing his ratings. “You almost have to feel sorry for him,” Kimmel said. “He tried his best to cancel me. Instead, he forced millions of people to watch the show. That backfired bigly.”
Kimmel did not stop there. He criticized the President for “celebrating Americans losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke,” a clear reference to Trump’s continued pressure on other networks to fire late-night hosts. The monologue was a powerful defense of the First Amendment, with Kimmel showing a social media post from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr—a key figure in the pressure campaign—that ironically celebrated free speech and political satire.
While Kimmel’s return was a victory, it was not a clean one. He noted that some local ABC affiliates, particularly those owned by Sinclair and Nexstar, were still refusing to air his show. This continued boycott underscores the high-stakes battle between national networks and politically-motivated affiliate groups, a new front in the culture war that threatens to fragment the media landscape.
The emotional and defiant monologue served as a powerful statement that Kimmel and his fellow hosts will not be silenced. In a week that saw a President take on a comedian, it was clear by the end of the broadcast that the comedian was not only unbowed, but also ready for the next round.