Los Angeles, United States: Jimmy Kimmel’s late night talk show, abruptly pulled from air last week after the US government threatened broadcasters, will return on Tuesday, Disney confirmed on Monday.

The suspension by ABC, owned by Disney, followed conservative complaints about comments Kimmel made after the shooting of Christian activist Charlie Kirk.

“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.

“It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive. 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.”

Government pressure and Trump’s response

Kimmel’s disappearance, apparently after government pressure on ABC distributors, sparked fury in liberal America. Critics argued he was targeted for being a frequent critic of President Donald Trump.

Trump celebrated Kimmel’s removal, calling it “Great News for America.” Opponents called it a dangerous step towards government control of free speech, a right enshrined in the US constitution.

Even some Trump allies, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz and broadcaster Tucker Carlson, voiced unease. Trump, however, has repeatedly complained about negative coverage and recently described it as “illegal.”

FCC threat to broadcasters

The controversy erupted a week after Kirk, a close Trump ally, was shot dead at a Utah university campus. Authorities charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson and said no other suspects were being sought.

In his monologue, Kimmel accused “the MAGA gang” of mischaracterising the suspect and mocked Trump for boasting about a new White House ballroom during remarks about Kirk’s death.

“This is not how an adult grieves the murder of somebody called a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish,” Kimmel said.

Two days later, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr threatened ABC affiliates’ licences. Nexstar, a major ABC station owner, pulled the show, citing a pending multi-billion-dollar merger requiring FCC approval. Sinclair also removed the show and said on Monday it would continue pre-empting it with news programming despite Disney’s announcement.

Hollywood stars back Kimmel

Before Disney’s reversal, Hollywood actors signed an open letter calling the suspension “a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation (that is) unconstitutional and un-American.”

“The government is threatening private companies and individuals that the President disagrees with. We can’t let this threat to our freedom of speech go unanswered,” the letter, led by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), said.

Signatories included Pedro Pascal, Tom Hanks, Jennifer Aniston, Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro.

After Disney confirmed the show’s return, the ACLU welcomed the decision, saying: “ABC made the right call.”