Disney confirms Jimmy Kimmel Live returning to ABC after suspension over Trump remarks

Disney announced Monday that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to ABC’s broadcast lineup on Tuesday, ending nearly a week of suspension following remarks made by host Jimmy Kimmel.

The late night show was pulled after Kimmel linked the alleged killer of conservative activist Charlie Kirk to former President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement. The comments triggered political backlash, prompting ABC to pause production.

“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country,” Disney said in a statement. “We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”

According to a person familiar with the matter, Kimmel is expected to directly address the controversy during Tuesday’s taping. Disney CEO Bob Iger and Dana Walden, co-chair of Disney Entertainment, were said to have made the final decision after days of internal discussions.

The suspension came after Nexstar Media Group, which owns several ABC affiliates, announced it would preempt Kimmel’s show. Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr suggested ABC’s broadcast license could be at risk, escalating concerns over political pressure on media companies.

The move drew comparisons to CBS’s cancellation of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert earlier this year and raised wider debates about free speech in broadcasting. Former late night hosts including Stephen Colbert and David Letterman expressed support for Kimmel, while former Disney CEO Michael Eisner criticized the FCC’s handling of the situation as “intimidation.”

Disney’s decision to reinstate the show reflects broader concerns about balancing free expression with heightened political scrutiny of media during Trump’s second term.