Jimmy Kimmel seeks to smooth tensions and takes aim at Trump in first show since ABC suspension

Returning to the air in his first episode since ABC suspended his late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel on Tuesday took direct aim at President Donald Trump while also trying to smooth tensions following his joke about the Republican reaction to the killing of Charlie Kirk.

LOS ANGELES — Returning to the air to thunderous cheers and applause in his first episode since ABC suspended his late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel on Tuesday took direct aim at President Donald Trump while also trying to smooth tensions following his joke about the Republican reaction to the killing of Charlie Kirk.

"You understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man," Kimmel said, his voice breaking, during his opening monologue. "I don't think there's anything funny about it."

Disney-owned ABC took "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" off the air last Wednesday after conservative fury over comments Kimmel made during a show monologue and after public criticism from the Trump-appointed chair of the Federal Communications Commission.

A furious backlash to ABC's decision followed, with prominent voices in and outside the entertainment industry saying it amounted to an attack on free speech by the administration.

Kimmel said Tuesday that the Trump administration "tried to coerce the affiliates who run our show, in the cities that you live in, to take my show off the air.”