Before Jimmy Kimmel’s comeback to late-night TV on Tuesday, he had already garnered significant support from the entertainment world. People from Hollywood, who consider Kimmel a beloved figure, were unsurprisingly in his corner.
During his return monologue, Kimmel expressed his gratitude: “Thanks to everyone who spoke up to support our show and make their voices heard. I won’t forget this gesture,” he said, also recognizing his fellow late-night hosts and well-wishers by name.
What really caught him off guard, though, was the backing from some notable conservatives. He remarked, “In a way, these are the people who don’t endorse my show or views, but still defend my right to express them. I’m thankful for folks like Ben Shapiro, Clay Travis, Candace Owens, Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul, and even my buddy Ted Cruz, who said some meaningful words on my behalf.”
Kimmel acknowledged the boldness required for these conservatives to stand up against the administration, stating, “It’s commendable of them to publicly challenge the government’s reach over our freedom of speech on television.” This expression of solidarity came amid Kimmel’s nearly week-long suspension due to pressure from the Trump administration over his content.
Right before Kimmel hit the stage, Trump made headlines on Truth Social with a new legal ultimatum directed at ABC. He referred to Kimmel as “another arm of the DNC” and suggested that his show constituted an unlawful campaign financing issue. In his own words, “Let’s put ABC to the test and see what happens next.”
Diving Into Patriotism and Precedents
Kimmel acknowledged his surprising supporters, ranging from Sen. Cruz to popular media personality Howard Stern. This stirred reflections on his return—suggesting what’s being debated goes beyond just a television show or celebrity status.
“The show is not what truly matters,” Kimmel emphasized. “What’s crucial is that we live in a country where such a show can exist. Your voices matter!”
On the first day back, Kimmel welcomed guests including Canadian artist Sarah McLachlan. She had canceled participation in a previous Disney event in light of recent controversies. Kimmel greeted him warmly: “It’s wonderful to see you—thanks for coming in during all this chaos,” to which Powell replied, “I’m honored to be here, and I’m just thrilled about your return.”
Kimmel also faced backlash regarding his comments made in reaction to the passing of Charlie Kirk. He took time to clarify that his initial remarks were not intended to belittle the tragedy or target any particular group as responsible for the actions of a disturbed person. With emotion, he shared, “What I said was not aimed at minimizing a tragic event, and my props go out to Kirk’s widow for emphasizing forgiveness in the midst of such pain. That sentiment moved me deeply, and I hope it resonates with many others too.”
Yet, some voices criticized Kimmel’s response. A spokesperson for Kirk’s Turning Point USA remarked online, “What he said isn’t sufficient.”
To explore ways to mend the existing cultural divide, Kimmel drew parallels with past comedians like Lenny Bruce and George Carlin, encouraging viewers to recognize that comedy can also be a form of patriotism. He declared, “We’ve learned that silencing a comedian based on the whims of those in power is un-American. Truth and humor know no political binds, and it’s heartening to see agreement among diverse groups on that front.”
“Maybe this whole ordeal has led to some common ground, and we can inch closer together in our divided world,” Kimmel conjectured optimistically.
