Walt Disney-owned ABC said it will reinstate the popular Jimmy Kimmel Live late-night show, which had been suspended last week after the TV host’s controversial remarks on late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
"We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday,” said a statement from the network.
Kimmel, a veteran late-night comic, has hosted “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC since 2003 and has been a fixture in television and comedy for even longer.
According to an Associated Press report, Kimmel's contract with ABC had been set to expire in May 2026. However, the network decided to take the show off the air after his remarks on Kirk drew backlash.
"We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it," he reportedly said.
Kirk, a right-wing activist, was fatally shot while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on September 10.
President Donald Trump, who has been critical of the content of the popular show, posted on social media that Kimmel's suspension was “great news for America.” He also called for other late-night hosts to be fired.
"Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done," Trump said.
The suspension, however, triggered an uproar from the Democrats and free speech activists. More than 430 movie, TV and stage stars, as well as comedians, directors and writers, added their names to an open letter on Monday from the American Civil Liberties Union that argues it is “a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation.”