In his comeback, Jimmy Kimmel struck a tone of sorrow for his controversial comments about Charlie Kirk - without saying sorry - and went on to make clear he would refuse to be cowed by his critics, chiefly Donald Trump.
Referencing last week's remarks that led to his brief suspension by Disney, the late-night talk show host stopped short of an apology as his show returned on Tuesday.
Kimmel chose his words carefully as he said he accepted that some people felt his remarks about Kirk's death had been ill-timed or unclear or maybe both, and told them: I get why you’re upset.
Last week, the host made a clumsy connection between the man suspected of shooting the conservative influencer earlier this month and the Maga gang, joking that Trump's reaction was akin to how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.
On Tuesday, Kimmel choked up as he told viewers it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. He also asserted that it was not his intention to blame any specific group for the actions of Kirk's killer.
However, he expressed unyielding determination to continue addressing Trump, remarking that the uproar only strengthened his resolve. After acknowledging the outburst of attention his return generated, he candidly addressed Trump's criticisms about his ratings.
He tried his best to cancel me, Kimmel stated, noting that instead, the controversy led to millions tuning into his show. He highlighted the nature of free speech, asserting that a government threat to silence a comedian amounts to anti-American actions.
Trump has been vocal about Kimmel's return, calling him a mouthpiece for Democrats and threatening ABC in the process. The late-night host pointedly addressed these comments, showcasing his defiance through humor.
Kimmel's insightful, courageous return attracted attention, prompting discussion about free speech and the future of late-night television amidst political tensions.
