Jimmy Kimmel, American television host and comedian, made a comeback to his late-night show ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ on September 23 with an emotional 18-minute monologue about free speech and also hit out at United States President Donald Trump.
“The president of the United States made it very clear he wants to see me and the hundreds of people who work here fired from their job. Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke,” Jimmy said.
While defending free speech, he mentioned, “This show is not important. What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.”
He stressed that he had no intention of blaming any group for Kirk’s assassination. However, he did express criticism toward regulators, especially the FCC, for trying to suppress comedians. Jimmy stated, “That’s not legal. That’s not American. It’s un-American.”
ABC put him under “indefinite” suspension earlier this week for his alleged controversial remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10.
Jimmy on Kirk’s death
Jimmy termed Kirk’s death a “senseless murder” following the fatal Utah shooting. He condemned those who apparently celebrated it and slammed Trump for making an attempt to hold the “radical left” responsible.
The comic emphasised particularly on Tyler Robinson, accused of killing Kirk.
“The MAGA Gang (is) 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. In between the finger-pointing, there was grieving,” Jimmy said in the monologue on Monday.
What did Trump say on Jimmy’s return?
“I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,” Trump said. He added, “The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled! Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his ‘talent’ was never there. 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 is yet another arm of the DNC and, to the best of my knowledge, that would be a major Illegal Campaign Contribution.”
Walt Disney on Jimmy’s return
As per a report by AP, The Walt Disney Co. mentioned, “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.”
(With inputs from agency)
