Jimmy Kimmel is under renewed scrutiny after defending his controversial remarks about the assassination of conservative icon Charlie Kirk. In a recent interview, the ABC late-night host claimed his comments were “intentionally and maliciously mischaracterized” by conservative media and said he didn’t initially see a “big problem” with what he said on air.
Speaking with Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw, Kimmel suggested he only realized the severity of the backlash after Disney and ABC temporarily pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the air. When asked when he knew it had become a serious issue, Kimmel quipped, “I think when they pulled the show off the air,” prompting laughter from the audience. He also said he believed the outrage was the result of “distortion” by conservative media outlets rather than any wrongdoing on his part.
The controversy began less than a week after Charlie Kirk was assassinated during an event at Utah Valley University. In his monologue, Kimmel implied that the killer may have been affiliated with the MAGA movement and mocked President Trump’s decision to order flags flown at half-staff. These remarks sparked outrage across the country, especially among those mourning the death of a man widely seen as a martyr for free speech.
The backlash was swift. ABC and its affiliates, including Nexstar, responded by removing Kimmel’s show from the air temporarily. Nexstar cited the need to maintain “respectful, constructive dialogue” during a volatile moment in national politics. The Federal Communications Commission also faced pressure to address the broadcast, with some accusing Kimmel of using his platform to further inflame political tensions.
When Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned, the host delivered what many criticized as a deflective, non-apologetic monologue. Instead of acknowledging the pain caused by his comments, Kimmel positioned himself as the victim of a political hit job. This further infuriated conservative viewers, including supporters of Kirk, who had become a powerful voice in the culture war and an outspoken defender of Christian and conservative values.
Charlie Kirk’s murder shocked the nation and was widely condemned. However, reactions from the left exposed a deep cultural divide, with some voices justifying or minimizing the killing. Kimmel’s remarks, made in the immediate aftermath of the assassination, were viewed as emblematic of a broader disregard among progressive elites for the lives and voices of those on the political right.
While Kimmel continues to deflect blame, the incident has highlighted the increasing hostility directed at conservatives in mainstream entertainment and media. The late-night comedy world, long a bastion of liberal commentary, appears to be doubling down, even in the face of national tragedy.
