Jimmy Kimmel Reinstated: Fury as Disney Backtracks on Suspension After Celebrity Backlash
- Hundreds of stars sign open letter backing Kimmel and free speech after his show was pulled off the air
- Kimmel’s comments about right-wing activist Charlie Kirk sparked outrage, with ABC affiliate Sinclair refusing to air his return
- The reinstatement comes after a flood of complaints to ABC Australia, with supporters rallying outside the late-night show’s location in Los Angeles
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is set to return to the airwaves after being taken off indefinitely, following a massive celebrity backlash and widespread public outcry. The move comes after hundreds of Hollywood and Broadway stars, including Robert De Niro, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tom Hanks, and Meryl Streep, urged Americans to “fight to defend and preserve our constitutionally protected rights” in the wake of Kimmel’s suspension.
In a dramatic U-turn, Disney-owned American Broadcasting Company (ABC) officials announced that Kimmel’s show would be reinstated, stating: “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 controversy erupted when Kimmel made comments about right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed on September 10. Kimmel said that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalise on the murder of Charlie Kirk” and that “the MAGA gang” was “desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them”.
ABC affiliate Sinclair, one of the network’s largest owners, initially refused to air Kimmel’s return, saying it would broadcast news programming instead. “Discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show’s potential return,” the company stated.
Kimmel’s reinstatement has sparked mixed reactions, with some hailing it as a victory for free speech and others expressing outrage over his initial comments. The incident has also highlighted the ongoing tensions between the media industry and the Trump administration, which has pursued threats, lawsuits, and federal government pressure to exert more control over the media.
As the controversy continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the battle for free speech and the future of late-night television has only just begun.