Jimmy Kimmel returns to ABC with defiant and empathetic monologue
After a suspension that lasted nearly a week and created a firestorm of debate in America over free speech, ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel returned to the air Tuesday night.
And what a return it was.
An emotional Kimmel showed empathy over the death of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk, but mostly struck a defiant tone defending free speech and criticizing the Trump administration for trying to silence that right.
Along the way, he slipped in a few humorous zingers for an 18-minute monologue that was tone perfect and what you would expect from the talented Kimmel. Almost assuredly, some on the right will think Kimmel wasn’t contrite enough, but it was clear Kimmel was looking to achieve two goals in his opening monologue: One was to (briefly) explain the remarks that led to his suspension, and the other was to fiercely defend the First Amendment.
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