Jimmy Kimmel struggled at times to get the words out during his monologue as he returned to late-night television on Tuesday following a nearly weeklong suspension over his on-air remarks about the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk that drew the ire of the Trump administration.
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"It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man."
"For those who think I did point a finger, I get why you're upset. If the situation was reversed, there's a good chance I'd have felt the same way. I have many friends and family members on the other side who I love and remain close to, even though we don't agree on politics at all. I don't think the murderer who shot Charlie Kirk represents anyone. This was a sick person who believed violence was a solution. And it isn't ever."
"Erika Kirk forgave the man who shot her husband. She forgave him. That is an example we should follow. Yeah, we. If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do. There it was. That's. That's it. A selfless act of grace. Forgiveness from a grieving widow. It touched me deeply, and I hope it touches many. And if there's anything we should take from this tragedy to carry forward, I hope it can be that."
"This show is not important. What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this."
Before Kimmel's show aired, US President Donald Trump wrote that he "can't believe" ABC gave Kimmel back his show, and hinted at further action.
While ABC parent Walt Disney announced on Monday that it was ready to restore Kimmel to the airwaves, station owners Nexstar Media and Sinclair have said they will continue to preempt Kimmel's time slot with other programming on their network affiliate stations, which reach about 23% of US households.
Still, Disney's decision to cut short Kimmel's exile from late-night television marked a high-profile act of corporate defiance in the face of an escalating crackdown by US President Donald Trump on his perceived media critics through litigation and regulatory threats.
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