Overview

• ABC and Disney lifted a five-day suspension, and Kimmel said he opposed being pulled off the air but thanked the company for reinstating him despite what he called added risk.
• Kimmel clarified that he did not intend to make light of Charlie Kirk’s killing or blame a political group, acknowledged that the motive is not established, and expressed sympathy to Kirk’s family.
• He criticized FCC Chair Brendan Carr and President Trump, calling government pressure on broadcasters un-American and urging viewers to defend First Amendment protections.
• Nexstar and dozens of Sinclair stations did not carry the return episode, reflecting ongoing affiliate preemptions following Carr’s public warnings about potential FCC action.
• Robert De Niro appeared in a sketch portraying Carr as a mob-style enforcer, reinforcing Kimmel’s argument that officials are using coercion to chill speech.