Jimmy Kimmel made a comeback to television on Tuesday, addressing the recent controversy that led to the suspension of his late-night show and sparked discussions on free speech in the United States. Kimmel kicked off his monologue with a trademark joke and then shifted to a more serious tone as he reflected on the days he spent off the air.
During his 15-minute monologue, Kimmel passionately defended Americans’ right to free speech under the First Amendment. He expressed gratitude for the support he received from people across the political spectrum and acknowledged his missteps in discussing a sensitive topic involving the murder of a right-wing commentator.
Kimmel clarified that his remarks were not intended to blame any specific group for the actions of an individual and expressed regret for any misunderstanding caused. He highlighted the forgiveness shown by the widow of the victim and emphasized the importance of following her example.
Ahead of the show, former President Trump hinted at potential legal action against the network, but Kimmel didn’t shy away from addressing the situation humorously during his monologue. He also humorously mentioned a request from Disney to promote Hulu and Disney+ subscriptions and thanked the network for reinstating his show despite initial disagreements.
The late-night host extended his gratitude to various individuals, including critics and supporters, who reached out with messages of support during his absence. He particularly appreciated those who defended his right to express his views, even if they didn’t necessarily agree with him politically.
Kimmel concluded by emphasizing the need to resist government control over television content and commended those who spoke out against attempts to silence free speech on television.