Jimmy Kimmel says silencing comedians is ‘anti American’, as his show returns to air

The host’s monologue noted that the suspension of his late night programme had ignited a national debate over free speech

Jimmy Kimmel’s ABC show returned on Tuesday (Randy Holmes/AP)

Jimmy Kimmel returned to air on Tuesday night, calling government threats to silence comedians “anti American”, as he broke his silence about the suspension from ABC which ignited a national debate over free speech and outcry over the bullying tactics of the Trump administration.

“This show is not important” Kimmel said during his first monologue since Disney, which owns ABC, suspended his late-night show from the network last week under pressure from Trump officials over his comments on the shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. “What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.”