Kimmel Addresses Controversial Remarks Following Suspension

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel spoke out Tuesday night after his show had been off for five days. ABC placed Kimmel on suspension starting September 17 after the network’s parent company, Nexstar, announced that “Jimmy Kimmel Live” would not air following the assassination of commentator Charlie Kirk.

While Kimmel didn’t directly apologize during his remarks, he seemed to backtrack on claims made in his September 15 episode. He stated, “I want to be clear about something because it matters to me as a human being. I understand that I never intend to underestimate the murder of a young man. I’m not – I don’t think there’s anything interesting about it.”

Kimmel pointed out that he had shared a message on Instagram the day Kirk was killed, expressing sympathy for the family and calling for compassion. “I wasn’t even going to blame a particular group for their actions. It was a deeply disturbed individual. It was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make, but for anyone who felt bad or unclear, or perhaps I pointed my fingers, I understood why you were upset,” he added.

Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Corvette criticized Kimmel’s comments, suggesting they fell short. He responded on X, saying, “Jimmy, it’s easy. Here you need to say: ‘I’m sorry that the shooter was a maga. He wasn’t. He was on the left. I apologize to the Kirks for lying. Please accept my sincere apologies. I’ll do more. I was wrong.’

Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcasting did not reply to requests for comments regarding the situation.

Kimmel’s suspension was prompted by other comments he made that appeared to condone or minimize Kirk’s assassination on social media, especially on platforms like Bluesky. He had previously stated, “We’re struggling to hit a new low over the weekend and desperately trying to characterize this kid who is doing everything he can to kill Charlie Kirk as something other than one person and score political points from there,” during his September 15 episode.

In the lead-up to Kimmel’s remarks, Spencer Cox, a Republican official from Utah, presented evidence related to Tyler Robinson, who has been accused of injuring Kirk. Multiple reports have also highlighted Robinson’s “left wing” beliefs and political messages found on his ammunition.