Jimmy Kimmel returned to his late-night show after efforts by the Trump administration to push him off the air.
Speaking with a mix of emotion and defiance, Kimmel tore into the president’s attempts to silence him, describing how the threats extended far beyond a personal attack to include ABC, the constitutional right of free expression, and even the role of the press itself in a functioning democracy, a pattern of intimidation he warned was profoundly dangerous and, in his words: «anti-American.»
A wave of support
Kimmel highlighted the immense wave of support he received following his removal from the show last week, pointing out that it came not only from viewers but also from fellow late-night hosts, ranging from Stephen Colbert and John Oliver to Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, Conan O’Brien, radio legend Howard Stern, and even David Letterman.
«The government cannot be allowed to control what we do and do not say on television.»
He noted that solidarity even crossed borders, with talk-show hosts from other countries reaching out, joking that he had even been offered a job in Germany.
Those who do not support him
The late-night host expressed deep gratitude to his audience for standing by him throughout this ordeal, but he also extended his thanks to those who do not support his show or share his beliefs, yet still defended his right to free speech in these uncertain times.
«You understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.»
He pointed out figures such as Ben Shapiro, Candace Owens, Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul, Joe Rogan and Ted Cruz, emphasizing that while he strongly disagrees with much of what they say, he recognized the courage it took for them to speak out against the Trump administration, and he thanked them for it.
Kimmel said, «The government cannot be allowed to control what we do and do not say on television.»
«We have to stand up to it.»
Kimmel set the record straight
In a deeply emotional moment, Kimmel acknowledged that while he had heard plenty of opinions about what he should say or do on his return to the air, he truly believed it didn’t matter, those who liked him would continue to like him, and those who hated him would go on hating him.
What mattered to him, he stressed, was to set the record straight «as a human,» making it clear that it was never his intention to make light of the murder of Charlie Kirk: «You understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.»
«I don’t think there’s anything funny about it,» he added firmly, before pointing to a post he had made on Instagram the very day of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, where he expressed love and condolences to the family and called for compassion. «I meant it, and I still do,» Kimmel said.
«That’s not legal, that’s not American, that is unAmerican, and it is so dangerous.»
Kimmel also explained that in his remarks last week, he never intended to blame any specific group for the actions of what was clearly «a deeply disturbed individual.» On the contrary, he said, his words were meant to convey the opposite, though he acknowledged that some may have found his comments poorly timed or unclear.
Kimmel explained that: «I don’t think the murderer who killed Charlie Kirk represents anyone. This was a sick person who believed violence was a solution, and it isn’t… ever.»
He emphasized that freedom of speech in America has always been admired around the world, admitting that he himself took it for granted: «until they pulled my friend Stephen (Colbert) off the air.»
Kimmel criticized the Trump administration for trying to coerce affiliates who run his show in cities across the country to take it off the air: «That’s not legal, that’s not American, that is un-American and it is so dangerous.»
Kimmel described how the Trump administration, in particular FCC director Brendan Carr and Donald Trump himself, made threats in broad daylight against free speech and pushed for censorship, actions that even Ted Cruz compared to those of mobsters.
He pointed to statements both men had made back in 2022 defending free speech, highlighting the irony that they are now attacking this fundamentally American value.
Kimmel then joked about the one supposed condition of his return on air. While many wondered whether he would be forced to say something or remain silent, he explained that Disney had asked him to read a message, before proceeded with the steps to re-subscribe to Disney+ and Hulu!
«Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke.»
The wave of outrage over his removal from the air the previous week had led to a surge of subscription cancellations to Disney’s streaming services as a form of protest.
A dangerous position with the Trump administration
Kimmel emphasized that he felt privileged to work for a company that, over the years, had allowed him to shape his late-night show into what it is today. He admitted that his remarks often made the network uncomfortable, something he does a lot, yet they continued to defend his right to poke fun at political leaders and to address important and sometimes uncomfortable subjects on their platform, for which he said he was deeply grateful.
Kimmel recalled being genuinely angry when he was taken off the air last week, but after many conversations, the company «even though they didn’t have to» decided to put him back on, a decision he thanked them for, even while acknowledging that it unfairly puts them in a dangerous position with the Trump administration.
He stressed that Trump had made it clear he wanted to see Kimmel and his team fired from the show, adding: «Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke.»
It touched me deeply.
-Jimmy Kimmel
Trump’s intention to slash free speech in America
Kimmel stated that the message is clear after what happened to Stephen Colbert, to himself, and after Trump openly said he wanted NBC to do the same with Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon.
He argued that these actions reveal Trump’s intention to slash free speech in America, and warned that if anything like this happens again, everyone must stand up and speak out against it, because Trump will not stop there. Kimmel stressed that this is not just about late-night hosts making jokes at his expense, but that the same tactics are currently being used against journalists.
Kimmel pointed out that the Pentagon is, at this very moment, implementing a pledge requiring reporters not to publish anything the administration has not explicitly authorized, insisting that this is serious and demands everyone’s attention.
Kimmel concluded by highlighting the actions of Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika, who said she forgave her husband’s killer, an example to follow, according to the host. Kimmel described it as «a selfless act of grace» and forgiveness from a grieving widow, adding: «It touched me deeply.»
Kimmel ended by saying that, in the end, this is the only thing that truly matters to remember from all of this.
