Jimmy Kimmel reflected on the controversy surrounding his comments about the killing of political activist Charlie Kirk during a conversation at the Bloomberg Screentime event on October 8.
The late-night host argued that his remarks, which led to a temporary suspension of his ABC show, were deliberately twisted by critics.
He described the situation as unfair to his employers at Disney and emphasized the need for clear boundaries in public discourse.
Kimmel initially viewed the backlash as mere distortion from right-wing media outlets.
He aimed to set the record straight but later gained perspective during the suspension period.
This time allowed him to consider others' viewpoints and acknowledge his own tendencies toward reactionary responses.
The host expressed that the pause was ultimately helpful in processing the events.
The incident began on September 17 when Kimmel stated on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" that supporters of President Donald Trump, whom he referred to as the MAGA gang, were attempting to portray the accused killer, Tyler Robinson, as unrelated to their group while seeking political advantage from the tragedy.
This drew sharp criticism from conservatives, including Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, who accused Kimmel of misleading viewers about Robinson's political affiliations.
Carr's response included calls for local stations to challenge the content and hints at potential license revocations for non-compliance.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, which airs ABC affiliates, pulled the show and demanded an apology to Kirk's family along with a donation to Turning Point USA, the organization Kirk founded.
The remarks sparked broader accusations of government overreach and censorship within the entertainment sector.
Disney suspended "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" to prevent escalating tensions during a sensitive national moment, citing the ill-timed nature of the comments.
After six days and discussions with executives, including Disney Entertainment Co-Chair Dana Walden, the network reinstated the program on September 23.
Upon returning, Kimmel clarified that he never intended to trivialize the murder or attribute it to any group, recognizing that some found his words insensitive.
At the Bloomberg event, he described the executive conversations as productive and his on-air return as successful under the circumstances.
Initially, he braced for the end of his show, refusing proposed demands, but the outcome proved more positive.
Kimmel also criticized Trump's celebration of the suspension as unbecoming of national leadership.