What Jimmy Kimmel said as he returned to the air after show was preempted

New this morning, Jimmy Kimmel returned to the ABC network last night, having finished his suspension for his comments on slain activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel was emotional, defending freedom of speech and thanking supporters on both sides of the political aisle. ABC's Lionel Moise has the details. Jimmy Kimmel back on air overnight, thanking his supporters, including those he doesn't typically agree with politically. It takes courage for them to speak out against this administration, and they did, and they deserve credit for it. And cannot be allowed to control what we do and do not say on television, and that we have to stand up to it. Kimmel, tearful at times when discussing the reason he was suspended, his comments about Charlie Kirk's murder. 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. I posted a message on Instagram on the day he was killed, sending love to his family and asking for compassion, and I meant it, and I still do. Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what was obviously a deeply disturbed individual. Before Kimmel's return, Disney ABC saying it suspended the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country. With the company citing days of thoughtful conversations with Jimmy in announcing his return. A lot of people have been asking me if there are conditions for my return to the air, and there is one. Disney has asked me to read the following statement, and I've agreed to do it. Here we go. To reactivate your Disney Plus and Hulu account. President Trump blasting the move overnight, posting his audience is gone and his talent was never there. Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who's not funny? Well, I do tonight. But Kimmel was not on the air nationwide. Two companies that own ABC stations are still preempting the show. Sinclair saying discussions with ABC are ongoing as we evaluate the show's potential return. And Nexstar wants assurance that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve. Kimmel was also in tears when discussing Charlie Kirk's widow and how powerful it was that she forgave the man who shot her husband, saying how touched he was in that moment. Lionel Moyes, ABC News, New York.