Video Jimmy Kimmel defends freedom of expression upon his return to ABC, after suspension / spoke sober about Charlie Kirk's crime and attacked Trump
“I am not sure who had the strangest 48 hours, me or the general manager of Tylenol,” Jimmy Kimmel said at the beginning of his show, resumed by ABC six days after being removed from the grid following a dispute about the presenter's comments on the influencer Charlie Kirk, according to The New York Times.
Jimmy Kimmel returned to his Night show at ABC. Received with applause by his audience in the room, the presenter was when joking, when defiantly and seriously, while approaching the controversy that led to the temporary suspension of his night show and triggered a national debate on freedom of expression.
Kimmel said he understands why his last week's comments about the suspect in the killing of the right -wing activist Charlie Kirk seemed “inopportune, unclear or maybe both.”
Also, the presenter used harsh words for the White House leader and the government regulatory authority that suggested that the Trump administration will punish ABC because of its remarks, saying that “a threat of the government to silence a comedian that the president does not like is anti-American.”
“This show is not important,” Kimmel said in his opening monologue. “What is important is that we live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.”
He thanked all his allies in the industry who defended him, including James Corden, Jay Leno, Howard Stern and David Letterman, but wanted to thank him and those who suffered after his show was suspended, although they do not support his convictions. “People I would never have imagined, such as Ben Shapiro, Clay Travis, Candace Owens, Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul. Even my old friend Ted Cruz, who, believe or not, said something very beautiful in my name,” he said.
What did he say about Charlie Kirk's death
The presenter addressed his comments on September 15 on the death of Conservative activist Charlie Kirk. With his voice trembling and tears in his eyes, he said: “It was never my intention to minimize the importance of killing a young man.”
“I don't think there's anything funny about it,” he said. “I posted a message on Instagram on the day he was killed, transmitting love to his family and asking for compassion, and I spoke seriously. And I still believe that. It was not my intention to blame a particular group for his actions. He was a deeply troubled individual. This was the opposite of what I wanted to say, but for some, for some, The finger, I understand why you are upset, “Kimmel said, according to News.ro.
If the situation had been reverse, I would probably have felt the same. I have many friends and family members on the other side I love and remain close to, even if we do not agree with politics at all. I do not think that the killer who shot Charlie Kirk represents someone; He was a sick person who believed that violence is a solution, and this is not, ”he added.
Attack to Donald Trump
During the show, Kimmel broadcast a clip in which the president told reporters: “Anyone could replace it, the guy had no talent. Kimmel had … look, he was fired. He has no talent. He has no talent. And, more importantly, many people have no talent, but they have no audience.”
“Well, I have a audience tonight!” Kimmel said, while the audience broke out in the applause. “You are almost sorry for him. He tried to cancel me. Instead, he forced millions of people to follow the show. He came out. He may have to make the Epstein files public to distract us from it.”
“Our leader is glad that Americans lose their lives because he does not know how to accept a joke,” Kimmel said. “He somehow managed to get Colbert from CBS. Then he turned his attention to me. And now he is openly arguing for the NBC to boost Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, as well this. “
