Jimmy Kimmel Monologue Last Night: From Charlie Kirk to Donald Trump, emotional Disney-ABC-Hulu talk-show host makes powerful statement

Jimmy Kimmel monologue last night has become one of the most talked about topics on Wednesday as the Disney's popular talk-show returns to ABC and Hulu. Jimmy Kimmel returned to his late-night show on Tuesday, just under a week after ABC pulled the host off the air indefinitely in the wake of criticism over his comments related the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this month.

Jimmy Kimmel Monologue Last Night

Jimmy Kimmel was emotional during his opening monologue, nearly breaking down at least twice when he told his audience “it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man." He added that he also didn't intend to “blame any specific group” for the actions of Kirk's alleged killer — but understand that, to some, "that felt either ill-timed or unclear or maybe both.”


His voice breaking at times, Kimmel said he understood why his comments last week about the suspected shooter of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk seemed "ill-timed, or unclear, or maybe both." He added, "It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man."

But Kimmel also had harsh words for President Donald Trump and the government regulator who suggested that the Trump administration would punish ABC because of his remarks, saying that "a government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn't like is anti-American."

"This show is not important," Kimmel said in his opening monologue. "What's important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this."

On Tuesday, Kimmel said he disagreed with Disney's decision to pull his show. But he also credited the company, where he has worked for 22 years, for defending his right to poke fun at the powerful.

"Unfortunately, and I think unjustly, this puts them at risk," Kimmel said. "The president of the United States made it very clear he wants to see me and the hundreds of people who work here fired from our jobs. Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can't take a joke."

During his monologue, which was frequently interrupted by a cheering crowd, Kimmel thanked several Republican officials, including Sens. Ted Cruz, Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, who had expressed misgivings about the FCC pressuring ABC. "I want to thank the people who don't support my show and what I believe, but support my right to share those beliefs anyway," he said.

Tearing up, he also praised Erika Kirk, Kirk's widow, who at a public memorial Sunday said that she forgave the person accused of murdering her husband. "It touched me deeply," Kimmel said, his voice hoarse. "If there's anything we should take from this tragedy to carry forward, I hope it can be that, and not this."

Why was Jimmy Kimmel Suspended?

Jimmy Kimmel's show was first suspended, then reinstated. Initially, ABC did not explain why on Wednesday it indefinitely suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!," which the network has aired since 2003. But Nexstar and Sinclair cited “problematic comments regarding the murder of Charlie Kirk.”

On Monday, The Walt Disney Co., which owns ABC, offered more of an explanation: “We made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country. It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive.”

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr called Kimmel's comments “truly sick” and had warned that the network and its local affiliates could face repercussions if Kimmel was not punished. On Monday, Carr denied that he threatened to revoke ABC’s local station licenses over Kimmel’s remarks.

In putting Kimmel back on air, The Walt Disney Co. said “we have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”

Kimmel called Kirk's death a “senseless murder” a day after the fatal Utah shooting, and he condemned those who appeared to celebrate it — as well as Trump for trying to cast blame on the “radical left.”

He also talked about the aftermath during his show the following week, targeting the response from both Trump and the president's supporters, whom he accused of “working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk.”

FAQs

Q1. Who is host of ABC late-night talk show?
A1. Jimmy Kimmel is the host of ABC late-night talk show.

Q2. Where can we watch Jimmy Kimmel Live?
A2. Jimmy Kimmel Live can be watched on ABC and Hulu.