ABC Reinstates Jimmy Kimmel After Suspension Controversy

ABC has decided to reinstate Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, following an outpouring of criticism after his comments regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The network announced on Monday that the show will return on Tuesday.

In a statement, ABC officials noted, “We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show.” Kimmel’s suspension had been indefinite after he made remarks during a monologue referencing Kirk, who was killed on September 10, 2023. Kimmel suggested that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk” and criticized “the MAGA gang” for attempting to distance themselves from the accused murderer.

Kimmel has been a prominent figure in late-night television since he began hosting the show in 2003. He is also known for his work as a presenter, having hosted the Academy Awards four times. His influence in the entertainment industry has led to widespread support from fellow comedians and public figures in light of recent events.

The backlash against Kimmel’s comments was immediate and significant. Major affiliates of ABC, including Nexstar and Sinclair, announced they would pull “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from their stations. Meanwhile, notable personalities from Hollywood rallied in his defense. Among them was President Donald Trump, who expressed his approval of Kimmel’s suspension on social media, labeling it “great news for America” and calling for the dismissal of other late-night hosts.

In an interview with Variety earlier this summer, Kimmel had voiced concerns about potential repercussions for comedians under the current administration. “You’d have to be naive not to worry a little bit,” he stated, emphasizing that such concerns should not alter one’s creative expression.

The timing of Kimmel’s suspension coincided with a broader pattern of actions by the Trump administration aimed at influencing media narratives. Trump has pursued various legal and legislative avenues to exert control over reporting, including settlements with ABC and CBS. Additionally, he has filed defamation lawsuits against major publications such as The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

Prior to Kimmel’s suspension, Brendan Carr, the head of the Federal Communications Commission, issued a warning, stating, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” emphasizing the potential for increased scrutiny of Kimmel’s remarks.

This controversy unfolds in a shifting late-night television landscape, highlighted by CBS’s recent cancellation of Stephen Colbert‘s show. Kimmel’s contract with the Walt Disney Company-owned ABC is set to expire in May 2026, which adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

As Kimmel’s show prepares to return, hundreds of stars from Hollywood and Broadway have expressed support for him. In an open letter from the American Civil Liberties Union, over 430 artists, including Robert De Niro, Jennifer Aniston, and Meryl Streep, urged Americans to “fight to defend and preserve our constitutionally protected rights,” highlighting the implications of Kimmel’s suspension for freedom of speech.

On the same day, ABC’s “The View” addressed the controversy, with co-host Whoopi Goldberg declaring, “No one silences us,” as she and her colleagues criticized Disney’s decision to suspend Kimmel.

As the late-night television landscape evolves, the reinstatement of Kimmel’s show signals a significant decision by ABC, reflecting both the network’s internal discussions and the broader cultural debates surrounding comedy and free expression.