Disney announced Monday that Jimmy Kimmel Live will return to air on Tuesday, ending a suspension that sparked widespread controversy in Hollywood and renewed debate over free speech and political accountability.
“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” a Disney spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. 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.”
The network’s decision to pull the program came after Kimmel claimed on air that the man who murdered conservative activist Charlie Kirk was a supporter of President Donald Trump.
Authorities later confirmed the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was aligned with leftist ideology and targeted Kirk because of his political beliefs.
“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,” Kimmel said before his suspension.
The remarks drew swift condemnation. FCC chair Brendan Carr criticized Kimmel’s comments last Wednesday, and both Nexstar and Sinclair — two major broadcasting companies that carry ABC affiliates — removed the show from their stations. The move placed pressure on Disney, which suspended production shortly afterward.
Kimmel’s absence ignited uproar within the entertainment industry and beyond. Fellow late-night hosts including Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and Bill Maher condemned the suspension, framing it as an attack on artistic freedom.
Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner also spoke publicly against the decision. Critics across Hollywood and social media accused Disney of “censorship” and silencing a prominent voice.
But others noted that Kimmel’s ratings have been lackluster for some time, fueling speculation that the suspension may have reflected broader concerns about the show’s performance rather than a single controversy.
Meanwhile, grassroots anger grew among viewers and activists who saw the suspension as overdue accountability for a media figure they argue crossed a line by spreading falsehoods about a politically motivated killing.
Petitions circulated and protests were staged as the story became a flashpoint in the broader struggle over misinformation and political violence.
Kimmel himself remained quiet throughout the suspension, though he was seen visiting his attorney, according to multiple reports. His silence did little to cool the debate.
Supporters portrayed him as a victim of corporate overreach, while critics highlighted the danger of a mainstream host mischaracterizing a high-profile murder for partisan purposes.
Disney’s decision to bring Kimmel back suggests an effort to contain the backlash on both sides. For conservatives, however, the episode underscores what they see as a recurring pattern: media figures quick to blame Trump supporters for acts of violence, only to retreat when facts show otherwise.
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