Overview

• On his first night back, Jimmy Kimmel said he never intended to make light of Charlie Kirk’s killing or to blame a political group, calling the suspect a deeply disturbed individual.
• He framed the episode as a free‑speech concern, arguing the government should not coerce broadcasters, and he thanked supporters across the political spectrum.
• ABC brought the show back after what it called thoughtful conversations with Kimmel, saying his earlier remarks were ill‑timed and insensitive rather than misleading.
• Nexstar and Sinclair said they will continue preempting the show on their ABC affiliates, keeping it off stations that together reach about 23% of U.S. households.
• FCC Chair Brendan Carr had urged affiliates to drop Kimmel and warned of potential regulatory action, prompting condemnation from civil‑liberties advocates and fresh political reactions including Trump’s criticism of the return.