Jimmy Kimmel hails ‘free press’ upon late night return: Details inside

Jimmy Kimmel has finally risen from the ashes of his late night show, making a triumphant return to television, where he cleared the air regarding the initial stance which got him fired — connecting Charlie Kirk’s shooter to the MAGA movement.

Following his show’s indefinite delay, announced on September 16, the comedian had lots more to say while affirming his stance in favour of free speech.

Taking a jab at Donald Trump, he even joked, “He might have to release the Epstein files to distract us from this.”

Emotional return

The new episode aired on September 23 and Jimmy Kimmel was treated to multiple standing ovations, cheers, and applause from the studio audience during various parts of his monologue.

In an opener which lasted nearly 30 minutes, an increasingly emotional Kimmel reported on the Trump administration, “They want to pick and choose what news is. I know that’s not as interesting as muzzling a comedian, but it’s so important to have a free press, and it is nuts we’re not paying more attention to it.”

“Our government cannot be allowed to control what we do and do not say on television, and we have to stand up to it,” he added, while further reiterating at a different point that Trump is a leader who “celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke.”

Peace offering?

Following mass protests against Disney, perhaps it was expected of Kimmel to be slightly more critical concerning everything — however, proving his credentials as a seasoned professional, the host remained pleasantly mellow about all parties.

“I don’t think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone,” he declared.

Regarding Erika Kirk, the late podcaster’s widow, forgiving his shooter, he described, “A selfless act of grace, forgiveness from a grieving widow. It touched me deeply.”

He also affirmed that he never intended “to make light of the murder of a young man.”

Trump’s response

Where everyone has something to say about the return, you could well expect that the American president wouldn’t remain silent.

True to form, Trump took to his Truth Social account to criticise the show’s network, ABC.

“Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE,” he wrote.

Referencing Kimmel himself, he further shared, “He is yet another arm of the DNC (Democratic National Committee) and, to the best of my knowledge, that would be a major illegal Campaign Contribution. I think we’re going to test ABC out on this.”