A defiant but emotional Jimmy Kimmel failed yet again to apologize for his false and inflammatory comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination in the late-night show host’s return to the air Tuesday after spending nearly a week on the sidelines.
Kimmel attempted to clarify his past assertion that Kirk’s alleged killer Tyler Robinson was likely affiliated with the MAGA movement and teared up while praising the slain conservative activist’s wife Erika Kirk during his highly anticipated monologue.
“You understand that it was never my intention to make light of a murder of a young man. I don’t think there’s anything funny about it,” he said in his opening remarks that were interrupted several times by standing ovations from the audience.
“I understand that to some, that felt either ill-timed or unclear, or maybe both, and for those who think I did point a finger, I get why you’re upset,” he added, referencing ABC parent Disney’s explanation for the show’s suspension.
While Kimmel didn’t directly apologize for his Kirk comments, he noted: “I don’t think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone. This is a sick person who believes violence is a solution, and it isn’t.”
Kimmel then referenced Kirk’s memorial on Sunday, during which his widow forgave Robinson for allegedly murdering her husband.
“She forgave him. That is an example we should follow,” Kimmel said. “If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do, there it was. That’s it. A selfless act of grace.
“Forgiveness from a grieving widow. It touched me deeply. If there’s anything we should take from this tragedy to carry forward, I hope it can be that.”
The late-night comedian still delivered his usual fiery bits, complete with repeated jabs against President Trump and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr — though he remained mum on criticism toward ABC and Disney, save for a mock “condition” of his return that included reading instructions for how to renew Disney+ subscriptions.
Robert De Niro appeared as a surprise cameo, pretending to be the new chairman of the FCC and slamming Kimmel’s jokes that the government agency was leaning towards mafia-style tactics.
Shortly before Tuesday’s episode aired, Trump blasted ABC for reinstating Kimmel’s show.
“I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,” Trump fumed in a Truth Social post.
“The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled! Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his “talent” was never there.
“Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE,” the president added.
Kimmel’s show was suspended by ABC last Wednesday after his incendiary comments about Kirk that sparked outrage from conservatives, which was only amplified over his continued refusal to issue a mea culpa.
“I did not agree with that decision, and I told them that, and we had many conversations. I shared my point of view; they shared theirs,” he said. “We talked it through, and at the end, even though they didn’t have to, they really didn’t have to — this is a giant company.
“We have short attention spans, and I am a tiny part of the Disney Corporation. They welcomed me back on the air, and I thank them for that.”
Kimmel negotiated his return with Disney’s head honcho Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment Co-Chair Dana Walden, sources told The Post — though it was unclear under what conditions, if any, the two sides agreed upon.
The suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” also prompted widespread boycotts against Disney, ABC’s parent company, for alleged media suppression and First Amendment violations.
Even executives within Disney, including former CEO Michael Eisner, condemned the move as a cowardly surrender to “out-of-control intimidation” from the FCC.
Some irate fans, including radio legend Howard Stern, cancelled their Disney+ subscriptions in protest.
Not everyone bent to the House of Mouse’s knee, though.
ABC stations owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group announced Monday night that they would refuse to air “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and air standard news programming in its place.
“Beginning Tuesday night, Sinclair will be preempting Jimmy Kimmel Live! across our ABC affiliate stations and replacing it with news programming. Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return,” the company said in a statement.
Sinclair Broadcast Group owns just 41 of ABC’s roughly 250 affiliate stations.
Nexstar Media Group, which operates 32 other ABC affiliates, announced on Tuesday that it would follow in Sinclair’s footsteps and “preempt ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’” for the foreseeable future.
The cluster of networks that won’t air the show is primarily spread across the East Coast, including key markets in cities like Syracuse, Albany and Hartford.
The White House has denied that Kimmel’s suspension was the result of government-driven suppression of speech.
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