Kimmel Returns To Show, Doesn’t Directly Apologize For Kirk Comments
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel returned to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday night, nearly a week after Disney suspended the program for controversial remarks he made about the assassin who murdered conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kimmel walked out to a standing ovation, chants of “Jimmy! Jimmy! Jimmy!” and applause from his audience. He opened by joking that the show was interrupting a rerun of Celebrity Family Feud before pivoting to the controversy that forced him off the air.
The host thanked left-wing late-night allies Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, and David Letterman, as well as some conservative figures including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Clay Travis, for voicing support during his suspension.
Kimmel Defends Himself, But Stops Short of Apology
Kimmel acknowledged the firestorm over his earlier comments but insisted his words were misunderstood:
“I don’t think what I have to say is going to make much of a difference. If you like me, you like me. If you don’t, you don’t,” Kimmel said. “But I want to 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.”
The host teared up recalling his initial condolences for the Kirk family. He stressed that he did not intend to “blame any specific group,” and claimed his point was misinterpreted.
“I don’t think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone. This was a sick person who believed violence was a solution, and it isn’t ever,” Kimmel said.
However, evidence shows the assassin, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, had in fact expressed hostility toward Kirk’s conservative politics and posted online about left-wing ideology before carrying out the attack.
Disney Suspension Sparks Tension
Kimmel also addressed his suspension, saying he was “not happy” with Disney’s decision to yank the show off the air after 23 years.
“I did not agree with that decision and I told them that, and we had many conversations,” he said, noting that he has openly weighed retirement after his current contract expires.
Despite defending his “right to poke fun at leaders,” Kimmel admitted Disney executives stood firm.
Pointing to Erika Kirk’s Forgiveness
Kimmel ended his monologue by invoking the powerful words of Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, who stunned the nation by offering forgiveness toward her husband’s killer during his funeral service.
“There was a moment over the weekend, a very beautiful moment… Erika Kirk forgave the man who shot her husband,” Kimmel said. “That is an example we should follow. If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do, there it was. A selfless act of grace, forgiveness from a grieving widow.”
While Kimmel praised Erika Kirk’s Christian forgiveness, he stopped short of offering any to the millions of Americans he offended with his own comments.