Jimmy Kimmel came out swinging for the fences last night. His late-night TV show returned to the airwaves after a controversial, nearly week-long suspension. Kimmel's remarks on September 15 about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk days earlier and President Donald Trump's response to it got the show suspended for six days. A robust, ongoing national debate about freedom of speech quickly ensued. Some TV stations are still declining to air Jimmy Kimmel Live!
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Kimmel took the stage to a rousing standing ovation from the crowded studio audience. In a lengthy monologue that was both humorous and solemn, he blasted Trump and affirmed his unshaken belief in Americans' fundamental right to speak their minds.
Kimmel Said That the Support He Got Was "Overwhelming"
Per People, Kimmel, 57, began by warmly thanking those who stood firmly behind him. He said, 'It's been overwhelming. I've heard from a lot of people over the last six days. I've heard from all the people in the world over the last six days. Anyone I've ever met has reached out 10 or 11 times. Weird characters from my past, or the guy who fired me from my first radio job in Seattle...." Kimmel also expressed his gratitude to anyone "who 'supported our show, cared enough to do something about it, to make your voices heard so that mine will be heard. I will never forget it.'"
He Clarified His Comments About Charlie Kirk
Kimmel said, at one point almost in tears, "I do wanna make something clear, because it's important to me as a human, and that is, you understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I don't, I don't think there's anything funny about it."
After Kirk's murder, Kimmel posted this message on social media. "Instead of the angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human? On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence."
Kimmel Also Spoke About President Trump
Moments later, he pivoted to speaking pointedly about Trump. "I never imagined I'd be in a situation like this — I barely paid attention in school. But one thing I did learn from Lenny Bruce and George Carlin and Howard Stern is a government threat to silence a comedian the president doesn't like is anti-American."
