Jimmy Kimmel Returns to Air, Addresses Controversy and Solidarity After Week Off-Air
After nearly a week of silence following a firestorm of controversy, Jimmy Kimmel returned to the late-night stage on Monday night, opening with remarks that were equal parts apology, reflection, and defiance. The host addressed the backlash that erupted after his controversial comments last week, comments that led to his show being pulled off the air for six days.
Kimmel began by acknowledging the wave of support he had received, not only from fans but also from colleagues and even critics. “Over the last six days,” he told the audience, “I’ve heard from my fellow late-night hosts, from fans of this show, and even from people who don’t agree with me politically but support my right to say what I believe. That means more than I can ever tell you.”
He clarified his original intent, emphasizing that it was never his goal to make light of tragedy. “It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said solemnly. “That is something I deeply regret if my words gave that impression. We are blessed to live in a country where a show like this is even possible, and I don’t take that for granted.”
The host also addressed the political fallout. He mentioned comments from Trump, who publicly dismissed him as having “no talent and no ratings,” and made clear his wish to see Kimmel and other late-night hosts fired. “The former president made it very clear,” Kimmel said dryly. “He doesn’t just want me gone — he wants all of us gone.”
Kimmel also referenced remarks from Brendan Carr, Chairman of the FCC, who reportedly warned an American broadcaster, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” Kimmel did not hold back in criticizing what he framed as an overreach into free expression, adding: “We are lucky to live in a country where shows like ours are possible, but moments like this remind us that freedom of speech always needs protecting.”
In contrast, Kimmel praised his network, expressing gratitude for nearly 23 years of creative freedom. “I’ve been fortunate to work at a company that has allowed us to do this show the way we wanted to for almost 23 years,” he said. Still, he admitted he did not agree with the decision to pull the show off the air last Wednesday, calling it “a choice I didn’t support, but one I had to accept.”
Perhaps most surprising was the level of solidarity Kimmel described, not just from his liberal allies but from voices across the spectrum. “What I’ve seen this week is support from the right, the left, and from people in the middle. Maybe if nothing else, we can agree that late-night hosts should at least be allowed to crack jokes without fear of being silenced.”
After his opening remarks, Kimmel shifted into his trademark mix of satire and comedy. He staged a mock interview with the “new FCC Chairman,” played by Robert De Niro, a bit that earned loud laughter from the audience. From there, he pivoted to his usual political humor, turning attention back to Trump, this time lampooning the former president’s speech at the United Nations.
Kimmel poked fun at reports that Trump’s teleprompter malfunctioned, that an escalator broke during his arrival, and that his ongoing disputes — including a bizarre dust-up with his “buddy RFK” over Tylenol — had created yet another political headache.
The episode balanced Kimmel’s trademark humor with moments of genuine reflection. For many viewers, the night marked not just a return to late-night comedy, but a test of whether one of television’s most outspoken voices could weather the storm of controversy, criticism, and political fire.
In the end, Kimmel made it clear he has no intention of backing down. “We’ll keep doing what we’ve always done,” he said with a wry smile. “Laughing when it’s hard to laugh — and speaking when it’s hard to speak.”