Charlie Kirk: Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show set to return Tuesday after sudden suspension
ABC announced Monday that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to air on Tuesday night, ending a surprise, week-long suspension that ignited a heated debate over free speech and political pressure in U.S. broadcasting.
The late-night program, owned by Disney’s ABC network, was abruptly pulled last Wednesday following a backlash from conservative groups over Kimmel’s remarks about the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
The suspension came amid reports that federal officials had privately urged broadcasters to “lower the temperature” after the high-profile killing, sparking accusations of government overreach.
In a carefully worded statement, ABC said the decision to pause production was taken “to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country.”
The network added that it had “spent the last several days in constructive conversations with Jimmy” before concluding the show was ready to resume.
“We felt some of the comments were ill-timed and insensitive,” the statement read. “After thoughtful discussions, we are confident the show can return responsibly on Tuesday.”
Kimmel, a sharp-tongued critic of President Donald Trump, has not publicly commented on the suspension, but his absence fueled outrage among liberal viewers and media watchdogs who accused ABC of caving to political pressure.
Social media platforms lit up with calls to defend Kimmel’s right to satire, while some Trump allies celebrated the pause as a victory against what they describe as “Hollywood bias.”
The controversy erupted days after Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of conservative youth group Turning Point USA, was gunned down during a campus event in Utah, a killing that has further polarized U.S. politics and drawn massive national attention.
