Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel attempted to walk back his false remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during his return to television Tuesday night, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The comments, originally made last week on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, had sparked national backlash after Kimmel falsely claimed Kirk was killed by a “MAGA conservative.”

The statement drew immediate condemnation. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr criticized Kimmel for spreading disinformation on national television and warned of potential federal action against ABC and its parent company, Disney.

Facing mounting outrage, Disney suspended Kimmel’s program.

By Monday, several major broadcast groups moved to distance themselves from the late-night host. Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns 30 ABC affiliates, announced it would no longer carry Jimmy Kimmel Live! in protest of ABC’s decision to reinstate him. Nexstar Media Group followed on Tuesday, pulling the show from all 32 of its ABC affiliates.

Despite the controversy, ABC returned Kimmel to the airwaves Tuesday night. In his opening monologue, Kimmel delivered a lengthy, emotional statement in which he appeared to choke back tears:

Jimmy Kimmel:

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“But I do 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. I don’t think there’s anything funny about it. I posted a message on Instagram on the day he was killed, sending love to his family and asking for compassion, and I meant it—and I still do.”

Kimmel insisted he did not intend to blame “any specific group” and acknowledged that his remarks may have been “ill-timed or unclear.” He added: “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.”

He also spoke about threats he and his family have received, before warning against efforts to remove his program from the air, calling such actions “un-American.”

Jimmy Kimmel brought on fake tears to try to explain why he is a POS pic.twitter.com/dNUOPUn9bn

— The Great Gats (@Gardyloo_Alert) September 24, 2025

Jimmy Kimmel is trying to take the world champion fake crying award from Adam Kinzinger.

— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) September 24, 2025

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump weighed in Tuesday night with his own comments on Truth Social, criticizing ABC for bringing Kimmel back.

President Trump:

“I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled! Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his ‘talent’ was never there. Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE.”

Trump went on to call Kimmel “another arm of the DNC” and suggested the network’s decision could be treated as an “Illegal Campaign Contribution.” He concluded by threatening potential legal action against ABC, stating: “Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings.”

Donald J. Trump Truth Social Post 10:35 PM EST 09/23/25

I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled! Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his “talent” was never…

— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) September 24, 2025

The controversy over Kimmel’s comments and ABC’s decision to restore him to the air continues to generate significant fallout across the media landscape.

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