Jimmy Kimmel tearfully addresses Charlie Kirk death, calls on Americans to fight for free speech

LOS ANGELES - Late night TV host Jimmy Kimmel spoke for the first time as he returned to set Tuesday, following his abrupt suspension from ABC. 

Jimmy Kimmel's monologue

Kimmel did not hold back any punches in his return on-air, making fun of President Donald Trump's unproven link between acetaminophen and babies being diagnosed with autism.

"I'm not sure who had a weirder 48 hours," Kimmel said. "Me or the CEO of Tylenol."

Kimmel held back tears discussing Charlie Kirk's death, adding there was nothing funny about the murder.

"It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man," Kimmel said. "Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what it was obviously a deeply disturbed individual. That was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make. But I understand that to some that felt either ill timed or unclear or maybe both. And for those who think I did, point a finger, I get why you're upset."

Kimmel went on to warn the public about the First Amendment possibly being in danger in the wake of shows being pulled off air.

"Our freedom to speak is what they admire most about this country. And that's something I'm embarrassed to say I took for granted until they pulled my friend [Stephen Colbert] off the air and tried to coerce the affiliates who run our show in the cities that you live in to take my show off the air. That's not legal. That's not American. That is un-American and so dangerous."

The backstory:

His nearly weeklong suspension from Jimmy Kimmel Live! triggered a national discussion about freedom of speech and President Donald Trump’s ability to police the words of journalists, commentators and even comics.

ABC, which suspended Kimmel’s show last Wednesday following his comments about Charlie Kirk, announced Monday, Sept. 22 that the show would return after the network had "thoughtful conversations" with the host.

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Two groups of ABC affiliates that denounced Kimmel last week said they would not carry his return, those include Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group. 

Why was Kimmel suspended?

ABC suspended Kimmel indefinitely after comments he made in a monologue last week. Kimmel suggested that many Trump supporters were trying to capitalize on Kirk’s death and were "desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them."

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr said it appeared that Kimmel was trying to "directly mislead the American public" with his remarks about Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old man accused of assassinating Kirk on the campus of Utah Valley University. 

Trump responds, calls ABC ‘losers’ 

Hours before Tuesday's show aired, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social saying, "I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled! Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his "talent" was never there. Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE. He is yet another arm of the DNC and, to the best of my knowledge, that would be a major Illegal Campaign Contribution. I think we’re going to test ABC out on this. Let’s see how we do. Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 Million Dollars. This one sounds even more lucrative. A true bunch of losers! Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings."