Jimmy Kimmel’s highly anticipated return to late-night television following a weeklong suspension has not only reignited debates over free speech but also catapulted his show to its highest ratings in a decade. Disney reported that approximately 6.26 million viewers tuned in to ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on Tuesday, nearly triple its average viewership for the 2024-2025 season. Despite a quarter of ABC stations in the U.S. opting not to air the episode, an additional 26 million viewers watched Kimmel’s emotional 28-minute monologue on social media platforms. Initial Nielsen ratings, which are expected to rise as more data is collected, exclude streaming numbers, suggesting even broader engagement.
Kimmel’s suspension stemmed from controversial comments he made about the suspect in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. During a previous monologue, Kimmel accused former President Donald Trump and his allies of exploiting the tragedy for political gain, likening Trump’s reaction to ‘how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.’ The remarks prompted Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to threaten action against ABC and Disney, leading to Kimmel’s temporary removal from the airwaves.
In his return, Kimmel addressed the controversy with a heartfelt monologue, stating it was ‘never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.’ He also criticized Carr for employing ‘mob tactics’ and condemned Trump for advocating the termination of late-night hosts who frequently critique his administration. ‘Our leader celebrates people losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke,’ Kimmel said, calling such behavior ‘un-American’ and ‘dangerous.’
While Kimmel’s return garnered praise from supporters like actor Ben Stiller, who hailed the ‘brilliant monologue,’ it also faced backlash. Trump expressed disbelief on social media, writing, ‘I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back.’ Andrew Kolvet, a spokesman for Turning Point USA and Kirk’s former producer, criticized Kimmel for not offering a full apology, stating, ‘Not good enough.’
The episode has reignited nationwide discussions about free speech, media accountability, and the role of comedy in political discourse, cementing Kimmel’s return as a cultural flashpoint.