Jimmy Kimmel's Tuesday night monologue has garnered impressive online viewership, amassing 13.3 million views on YouTube and 5.6 million views on Instagram by 1:30 PM Eastern. While broadcast ratings for the episode are still pending, the digital engagement highlights Kimmel's significant presence on social media platforms.
Kimmel returned to the airwaves just six days after making controversial remarks about the alleged killer of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. His comments sparked a wave of social media backlash and drew scrutiny from the Trump administration, which pressured networks to take action against him. The decision by ABC to bring Kimmel back marked a notable act of corporate defiance amidst Trump's increasing efforts to silence perceived adversaries in the media through legal and regulatory means.
In addition to the political pressure, Kimmel faced backlash from some of his fans, many of whom expressed their discontent by canceling subscriptions to Disney's streaming services, including Disney+ and Hulu. During his monologue, Kimmel humorously referenced this fan backlash, implying that Disney had requested him to relay specific messages on air. He joked, "To reactivate your Disney+ and Hulu account, open the Disney+ app on your smart TV or TV-connected device."
In an emotionally charged moment, Kimmel defended the importance of political satire against the bullying tactics employed by Trump and his administration. Addressing the audience amidst a standing ovation, Kimmel stated, "It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I don't think there's anything funny about it." He further criticized Trump's supporters for attempting to detach Kirk's assassin from their ranks and for exploiting the tragedy for political gain.
Before Kimmel's return to the screen, Trump expressed disbelief on his Truth Social platform regarding ABC's decision to reinstate Kimmel, hinting at potential repercussions for the network. Trump labeled Kimmel as "another arm of the Democratic National Committee" and accused him of making jokes that constituted a major illegal campaign contribution. This came after Trump had previously claimed that Kimmel was let go due to poor ratings.
The late-night television format has faced significant challenges in recent years, with a steady decline in viewership as audiences shift from traditional cable to streaming platforms. Younger viewers often turn to platforms like YouTube and TikTok for entertainment, leaving traditional TV shows with dwindling audiences and reduced advertising revenues.
Nexstar announced on Wednesday that it continues to evaluate the future of Kimmel's show, which it has chosen to pre-empt on its ABC-affiliated local stations. The company released a statement indicating that they are engaged in constructive discussions with Disney executives to ensure that the program aligns with the diverse interests of their communities.
Following Kimmel's remarks, U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr threatened to investigate ABC and its affiliates, urging stations to drop Kimmel's show or face potential fines and the risk of losing their broadcast licenses. Carr's comments drew significant backlash, with calls for his resignation from Democratic lawmakers and criticism from Republicans, including Senator Ted Cruz. Senate Majority Leader John Thune also weighed in, suggesting that programmers should make independent decisions without government interference.
In his monologue, Kimmel took a moment to thank those, including Cruz, who, despite differing opinions, stood up for his right to express himself. "I don't think I've ever said this before, but Ted Cruz is right," Kimmel quipped, eliciting laughter from the audience. This acknowledgment underscores the complex dynamics within political discourse and the importance of defending freedom of expression.
Reporting by David Shepardson and Sayantani Ghosh; Editing by Mark Porter, David Gregorio, and Nick Zieminski.
