Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension sparked widespread debate about free speech and network control. As his late-night show prepares to return, reports now reveal whether ABC will place any restrictions on him moving forward.
Jimmy Kimmel reported to have full freedom of speech upon return
ABC will air Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday after a six-day suspension over the host’s remarks about Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting. Disney, which owns ABC, said: “We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”
Kimmel’s suspension followed remarks in which he said “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalise on the murder of Charlie Kirk” and described “the MAGA gang” as “desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.”
The episode also featured a clip of Donald Trump responding to a reporter with unrelated comments about White House construction, which Kimmel mocked as “the fourth stage of grief: construction.”
Backlash to Kimmel’s comments was immediate, with affiliates Nexstar and Sinclair both pulling his program from their stations. Sinclair confirmed it would not air Kimmel’s reinstated show on Tuesday, stating, “Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return.” Nexstar has not yet issued an updated statement.
The suspension sparked a major Hollywood response. Over 430 actors, writers, and directors signed an ACLU letter calling the suspension “a dark moment for freedom of speech.” High-profile signatories included Robert De Niro, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tom Hanks, and Meryl Streep. Supporters also gathered outside Kimmel’s Los Angeles studio during the suspension.
Talks between Disney CEO Bob Iger, Disney Entertainment chair Dana Walden, and Kimmel’s team continued through the weekend. A source told Deadline, “Jimmy will say what Jimmy wants to say,” confirming that no new restrictions will be placed on his material as part of the agreement for his return.
Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on ComingSoon.
