Jimmy Kimmel Responds to Suspension Fallout: “I Didn’t Think There Was a Big Problem” Over Charlie Kirk Comments
Jimmy Kimmel recently sat down at a Bloomberg Screentime event in Los Angeles and reflected on the storm of controversy that followed one of his monologues earlier this fall. He admitted that he didn’t initially see anything problematic about his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death and how some in the MAGA movement responded — a moment that ultimately led to the temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! by ABC.
On September 15, Kimmel delivered a monologue in which he criticized what he viewed as opportunistic political narratives in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination. He said, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.” That segment drew sharp backlash — both from conservative media and political figures — accusing him of unfairly linking the accused shooter to Trump’s movement without proof.
When ABC announced a suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, many saw it as a drastic response to public pressure. Kimmel, in that Los Angeles conversation, acknowledged he was surprised. He said, “I didn’t think there was a big problem.” He explained that from his point of view, he was engaging in countering “distortion on the part of some of the right-wing media networks,” trying to push back against what he saw as mischaracterizations of how some were reacting to Kirk’s death.
Kimmel also said he viewed the suspension as “unusual,” and that it’s a moment he took to reflect. He spoke about conversations he had with Disney executives, especially Dana Walden, which helped him grasp perspectives beyond his own. In defending himself, Kimmel argued that critics “intentionally and maliciously mischaracterized” what he said, twisting it in ways that distorted his intent.
As for how he handled his return to air, Kimmel has made it clear he never meant to make light of Kirk’s death or treat the tragedy casually. He stated that some responses to his monologue “felt either ill-timed or unclear” to people, acknowledging that in times like this, clarity matters.
This episode has stirred broader debates about satire, media responsibility, and free speech in politically charged times. Many in late night and journalism circles have watched closely — willing to defend Kimmel’s right to critique, but also asking whether he misstepped in tone or implication.
What stands out, though, is how candid Kimmel has been in public about his own misjudgments, about how statements can be read differently than intended, and about how powerful context is. He says this moment has reminded him — and maybe viewers too — that speech in our polarized times comes with heavy weight, especially in public platforms.
Only time will tell how this moment shifts late-night norms or coverage of political tragedies. But in the meantime, Kimmel’s words — “I didn’t think there was a big problem” — offer something raw, if imperfect: a glimpse of how someone used to being on the stage grapples when that stage pushes back.
