Jimmy Kimmel is set to return to late-night television on Tuesday, nearly a week after Jimmy Kimmel Live! was pulled off the air amid a political firestorm over his comments following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

ABC’s parent company, Disney, suspended the show on September 17, citing Kimmel’s controversial remarks that Trump supporters were attempting to frame Kirk’s shooter “as anything but one of their own” for political gain. The comments drew sharp criticism, triggering threats of regulatory action and sparking a wave of affiliate boycotts.

In a statement announcing his return, ABC said the decision came after “thoughtful conversations” with the host. “We have spent the last several days having open discussions with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we have decided the show will resume on Tuesday,” the network said.

The Fallout: FCC Pressure and Boycotts

The backlash was immediate. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) hinted at possible penalties, including fines and even challenges to broadcast licenses. Nexstar and Sinclair—two of ABC’s largest affiliate station owners—announced they would no longer carry Jimmy Kimmel Live! after the controversy.

Adding to Disney’s headaches, angry viewers organized boycotts of its streaming service, Disney+, with Google searches for “cancel Disney+” surging to a year-high. Insiders told Reuters that consumer pressure became a serious concern for the company, especially as Disney’s stock fell by 7 percent following the suspension.

Former President Donald Trump, who has feuded with Kimmel for years, hailed the suspension as “great news for America” and urged networks to dismiss other late-night personalities.

Celebrity Pushback

Meanwhile, Hollywood and Broadway rallied behind Kimmel. More than 200 prominent actors, musicians, and playwrights—including Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, and Lin-Manuel Miranda—signed an open letter organized by the American Civil Liberties Union. The letter denounced the suspension as “a dark moment for free expression in America” and urged the public to stand up for constitutional protections.

Not everyone welcomed Kimmel’s reinstatement. Turning Point USA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet, speaking for the organization once led by Kirk, said on X: “Disney and ABC caving and letting Kimmel back is not surprising, but Nexstar and Sinclair don’t have to follow.”

Politics and the Media

The clash fits into a broader struggle between the Trump camp and major media outlets. Trump and his allies have repeatedly turned to lawsuits, defamation claims, and regulatory pressure against organizations such as CBS, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, NPR, and PBS. FCC chair Brendan Carr had even warned broadcasters days before Kimmel’s suspension that the agency was prepared to “take action” if networks failed to act.

What’s Next for Kimmel

Kimmel is expected to address the controversy when his show resumes, though it remains unclear whether he will issue an apology or change the tone of his political commentary. In a recent interview with Variety, he admitted concern about political retaliation but said he would not allow it to alter his commitment to free speech: “You’d have to be naive not to worry at least a little. But that can’t change what you’re doing.”

The suspension unfolded during a period of upheaval in late-night television. CBS canceled Stephen Colbert’s show earlier this year, and Kimmel’s own contract with ABC is set to expire in 2026. Still, since launching in 2003, Jimmy Kimmel Live! has remained one of the most recognizable platforms in American comedy—and his return underscores how closely entertainment and politics have become intertwined.