Following a week-long suspension, Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show is being reinstated by ABC.¹ The decision to pull the show last Wednesday was a response to pressure from the Trump administration, conservative critics, and affiliates of the network after Kimmel made comments about the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.²

The Controversy and Suspension

On his show, Kimmel made remarks suggesting that some “in MAGA land” were trying to politicize the murder of Charlie Kirk and characterize the accused killer as anything other than a supporter of their movement.³ These comments led to swift backlash, with the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr, issuing a warning that ABC could face regulatory repercussions.⁴ Simultaneously, two of ABC’s largest affiliate owners, Nexstar and Sinclair, announced they would stop airing Kimmel’s show, explicitly citing his comments as “offensive and insensitive.”⁵ Facing this pressure, Disney-owned ABC made the decision to suspend Kimmel’s show indefinitely.⁶

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The Resolution and Return

ABC’s decision to reinstate the show, with its return scheduled for Tuesday, was announced in a statement that cited “thoughtful conversations” with Kimmel.⁷ While the network did not provide further details, the reversal came after an immense public backlash against the suspension itself. Hollywood and Broadway stars, along with free speech advocates, condemned the move as a dangerous instance of government pressure and censorship.⁸ The suspension also raised concerns for Disney, with potential implications for its business dealings, including a massive NFL contract that is currently under regulatory review.⁹ The decision to bring the show back on the air indicates that ABC, after weighing the financial and public relations risks, ultimately decided that a brief suspension was preferable to a more prolonged battle.

Details on return of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

This video provides additional details from a news report on the suspension and subsequent return of Jimmy Kimmel’s show.