Jimmy Kimmel's Late-Night Show to Return Following Suspension Amid Controversy

Mon Sep 29 2025 03:28:15 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

ABC Network reinstates Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show after an indefinite suspension caused by backlash over comments regarding the murder of activist Charlie Kirk.

After facing significant backlash and an indefinite suspension, Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show will return to ABC after network officials engaged in conversations with Kimmel. The initial suspension stemmed from Kimmel's remarks about Charlie Kirk's murder, which some affiliates deemed offensive. Kimmel's comments criticized a faction of Trump supporters, sparking a heated debate on free speech and media response to political violence.

NEW YORK (RTW News) — ABC has announced that it will reinstate Jimmy Kimmel’s popular late-night show after suspending it indefinitely due to backlash ignited by Kimmel's comments about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The network's officials confirmed that after discussions with Kimmel, the show will return on Tuesday.

The controversy arose when Kimmel's remarks, directed not just at Kirk but also at President Donald Trump and his supporters, were deemed by several of ABC's major affiliate owners as offensive. Following those comments, the affiliates Nexstar and Sinclair announced they would stop airing the show, leading to its suspension.

Andrew Kolvert, spokesperson for the organization founded by Kirk, Turning Point USA, referred to the decision to reinstate Kimmel as a mistake, stressing that ABC and Disney had bowed to pressure but that Nexstar and Sinclair did not need to follow suit.

There has been no comment yet from Nexstar and Sinclair regarding Kimmel's reinstatement. Kimmel, whose contract with ABC remains effective until May 2026, has also refrained from commenting on the suspension or his upcoming return.

Originally, the network had not specified why they chose to suspend “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” but did provide some clarity in a statement stating, “We made this decision to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country.”

While Kimmel characterized Kirk's death as a 'senseless murder', he also condemned the celebration of that murder by some segments and criticized Trump's attempts to shift blame towards the 'radical left'. Kimmel's monologues following the incident have been filled with scathing critiques of both Trump and his supporters, triggering a broader examination of free speech in media.

Reactions to Kimmel’s suspension have varied widely. Former President Barack Obama condemned the action as dangerous government coercion against media freedom, while FCC Chairman Brendan Carr labeled Kimmel's comments as 'truly sick' and asserted that necessary consequences should follow. Additionally, Congressional Democrats have introduced a bill aimed at reinforcing free speech protections, although its future in a Republican-controlled Congress is uncertain.