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Jimmy Kimmel returned to late-night TV after a nearly weeklong suspension, and broke down as he said he never intended to make light of the Charlie Kirk assassination tragedy.

Jimmy Kimmel breaks down on air (Video screengrabs/Social Media)
Jimmy Kimmel, who returned to late-night television on Tuesday after a nearly weeklong suspension, nearly broke down in tears, saying he wasn’t trying to joke about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
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“I don’t think what I have to say is gonna make much of a difference, if you like me, you like me… If you don’t, you don’t. I have no illusions about changing anyone’s mind, but I do want to make something clear, because it’s important to me as a human, and that is, you understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said, his voice breaking.
“I don’t think there’s anything funny about it,” he added.
“Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what was obviously a deeply disturbed individual. That was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make,” Kimmel said.
He added he understood his remarks last week to some “felt either ill-timed or unclear or maybe both.”
ABC, which suspended Kimmel’s show last Wednesday following criticism of his comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, announced Monday that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” would return after the network had “thoughtful conversations” with the host.
About the Author

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
September 24, 2025, 15:28 IST
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