Kimmel Returns After Six-Day Suspension; Ratings Soar

Disney/ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel for six days after his monologue about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk — in which he said the “MAGA gang” had politicized the shooter — drew conservative and Trump-administration ire. Some local affiliates, including Nexstar and Sinclair, preempted the episode, leaving it blocked in more than 20% of U.S. households, and FCC Chair Brendan Carr warned broadcasters about the fallout. Kimmel returned with an emotional, sometimes teary monologue that clarified his remarks, defended satire and free speech, and included sketches featuring Robert De Niro; Disney said discussions with Kimmel led to the decision to resume the program. Despite the preemptions, the comeback became the highest-rated regularly scheduled broadcast TV episode in over a decade, drawing about 6.3 million viewers, and the monologue garnered tens of millions of views online. The episode ignited a national debate over political pressure on media and corporate decision-making, with supporters in Hollywood framing the return as vindication and critics — including Roseanne Barr and Megyn Kelly — accusing Disney of a double standard.