Kimmel Returns To Show, Doesn’t Directly Apologize For Kirk Comments
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” host Jimmy Kimmel insisted that he never intended to downplay or make light of Charlie Kirk’s assassination in comments that led to his show’s suspension last week.
Tuesday night was the first show Kimmel hosted since Disney announced its return on Monday after nearly a week off the air.
Kimmel came out to a standing ovation, which continued into chants of “Jimmy! Jimmy! Jimmy!” and ongoing cheering.
“If you are just joining us, we are preempting your regularly scheduled encore episode of ‘Celebrity Family Feud,’ we’re bringing you this special report,” Kimmel said in his opening. “I’m happy to be here with you tonight.”
Kimmel thanked fellow late-night hosts Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, and David Letterman, as well as conservative figures such as Clay Travis and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), for supporting him during his suspension.
He then addressed the remarks that led to his suspension but stopped short of offering an apology.
“I’ve been hearing a lot about what I need to say and do tonight, and the truth is, I don’t think what I have to say is going to make much of a difference,” Kimmel said. “If you like me, you like me. If you don’t, you don’t. I have no illusions about changing anyone’s mind.
“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,” Kimmel went on.
Kimmel grew emotional and teared up as he recalled posting a message on Instagram the day of Kirk’s death, offering condolences to the family.
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Jimmy Kimmel’s full monologue tonight pic.twitter.com/sZI6uouUAd
— Marlow Stern (@MarlowNYC) September 24, 2025
“Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions,” he continued. “It was a deeply disturbed individual. That was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make, but I understand that, to some, it felt either ill-timed or unclear or maybe both, and for those who think I did point a finger, I get why you’re upset. If the situation was reversed, there’s a good chance I would have felt the same way.”
He then said: “I have many friends and family members on the other side who I love and remain close to, even though we don’t agree on politics at all. 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.”
In fact, the assassin, Tyler Robinson, 22, made several references criticizing Kirk’s right-leaning politics while espousing left-wing ideology.
The host then gave some thoughts on Disney suspending his show after 23 years, though Kimmel hinted in 2023 that his current contract would probably be his last as he increasingly pondered retirement.
“Every night, they defended my right to poke fun at our leaders and to advocate for subjects that I think are important by allowing me to use their platform, and I’m very grateful for that. With that said, I was not happy when they pulled me off the air on Wednesday,” Kimmel said.
“I did not agree with that decision and I told them that, and we had many conversations. I shared my point of view, they shared theirs. We talked it through,” he continued.
Kimmel ended his monologue by tearfully recalling Erika Kirk’s funeral remarks, in which she expressed forgiveness toward her husband’s alleged killer.
“There was a moment over the weekend, a very beautiful moment. I don’t know if you saw this. On Sunday, Erika Kirk forgave the man who shot her husband. She forgave him. That is an example we should follow. If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do, there it was. That’s it. A selfless act of grace, forgiveness from a grieving widow. It touched me deeply, and I hope it touches many, and if there’s anything we should take from this tragedy to carry forward, I hope it can be that,” Kimmel said.
