Jimmy Kimmel is returning to ABC with his late-night show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. That comes off the heels of a highly publicized six-day suspension for remarks Kimmel made during his September 15 monologue about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel turned his sights on the “MAGA gang,” and suggested that President Donald Trump supporters had attempted to politicize Kirk’s death. These remarks almost set off an out-of-control reaction from conservative leaders, you know, media watchdogs and even ABC owned-and-affiliate stations counterparts creating a huge uproar which reverberated within the entertainment and political arenas.
What Led to Kimmel’s Suspension
ABC announced the suspension on September 17, explaining that it was necessary to prevent further escalation during a time of extreme national sensitivity. ABC, which is owned by Disney, described Kimmel’s remarks as “ill-timed and insensitive.” The move followed increased pressure from Brendan Carr, the chairman of F.C.C., who publicly criticized Mr. Steinke’s remarks. Carr issued a warning for ABC and its affiliates that they could be subject to regulatory liability, including fines or revocation of broadcast licenses in the event that the alleged regulation breach was not redressed immediately—representing a threat to ABC’s operation as a business.
Safety concerns and affiliate station backlash
Regulations were not the only reason for why the suspension occurred. Disney’s senior executives, among them CEO Bob Iger and Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden, also considered the safety risks for Kimmel and his crew as well as for Disney personnel. Following the provocative statements, threats and doxxing flooded social media targeting those involved. Some ABC affiliate stations including Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, on the other hand, opted to dump “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” through local stations, obstructing ABC’s redistribution and public relations.
Significant Business Impact
And the scandal also bumped Disney’s business. Disney’s stock fell by almost $5 billion in the days after the suspension was announced. Likewise, Disney+ saw significant subscriber churn in response to the stunt and disgruntled viewers. And even after Disney’s reversal on Kimmel, some affiliates still preempted the show. In a statement, Sinclair pressed for an apology to Kirk’s family and also asked for a donation to Turning Point USA, the group that employs Kirk, highlighting underlying tensions between national and local interests.
Free Speech Industry and Public Free Expression Outcry
The entertainment industry and civil liberties groups condemned the suspension as censorship that imperils artistic freedom and political satire. Hundreds of artists, unions and groups like the American Civil Liberties Union cried foul at what they said was a suspension that jeopardized comedic expression on late-night television. Kimmel’s fellow late-night contemporaries came to the comedian’s vocal defense, clarifying that a comedian should have the right to lambaste politics without facing repercussions.
Kimmel’s Position And Talks With Disney
Although Kimmel balked at apologizing and intended to unpack what he said further in an on-air monologue later in the week, Disney execs demanded a more moderated approach prior to his return. Guides were calling Kimmel’s planned monologue “very, very angry” in response to the criticism. After intense negotiations among Kimmel, Disney executives and his lawyers, a deal was struck to bring back the show on terms that will probably rein in its political content. Sources say Kimmel is popular at ABC, with both sides hoping to move on.
Broader Media and Political Implications
The controversy underscores the fine line that late-night hosts and other politically minded media outlets have to walk in an era of extreme polarity, between expressing themselves freely, avoiding regulators and currying favor with big business. It has added to wider discussions about media censorship, “cancel culture” and whether governments should regulate what appears on air. Kimmel’s appearance marks a brief cease-fire in this very public battle, but it also speaks to the sort of ongoing struggles broadcasters and entertainers will continue to face amidst an increasingly ideological split.
Final Thougts: A High-Stakes Media Event Comes to a Tentative Close
Jimmy Kimmel’s comeback on ABC closes out an intense and much-discussed chapter in popular culture during which politics, business and freedom of expression converged dramatically. While his rebound may simmer immediate tempers, there are bigger issues at stake as far as media independence, regulatory powers and the future of political humour go—and they are certainly not out of the woods just yet.
Also read: