Overview

• Kimmel opened with an emotional monologue saying he never intended to make light of Charlie Kirk’s killing or blame any group, while criticizing efforts to silence his show.
• ABC/Disney brought the program back after nearly a week off air following backlash to its suspension, including an ACLU letter signed by hundreds of entertainers and consumer protests.
• FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s public warnings to ABC and affiliates fueled a free‑speech fight, with his remarks cited by supporters and critics as potential government coercion.
• Nexstar and Sinclair said they will continue to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! in many markets, including Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Nashville and Richmond.
• President Trump condemned the return on Truth Social, labeled it an illegal campaign contribution and threatened to pursue legal or regulatory action against ABC.