Jimmy Kimmel joked that President Donald Trump “might have to release the Epstein files to distract us from this,” after his recent attempt to cancel the comedian “backfired bigly.”
Kimmel’s show made its return on Tuesday, September 23. However, it didn’t air in all markets due to earlier controversy. The show had been pulled after Kimmel made comments that were widely seen as harmless but still caused a stir.
During his monologue, Kimmel addressed the incident directly. He clarified that he never intended to make light of the tragic shooting involving Charlie Kirk. He emphasized that his words were misunderstood and reiterated the importance of responsible speech.
At the same time, Kimmel used the moment to speak passionately about the need to protect free speech and, more specifically, the freedom of the press in the United States. It was a clear reminder of how essential these rights are in a healthy democracy.
In one emotional moment, Kimmel responded to a clip of Trump mocking his show’s ratings. “You almost have to feel sorry for him,” Kimmel said. “He tried his best to cancel me. Instead, he made millions of people tune in. That backfired bigly. He might have to release the Epstein files just to shift the attention now.”
