The return of late-night US comedian Jimmy Kimmel has gone viral online, attracting more than 16 million views across YouTube and Instagram, as one of Donald Trump's most prominent backers during the 2024 election lashes out at media censorship.
Kimmel's program, which airs on the Disney-owned American Broadcasting Company (ABC), was indefinitely suspended last week after he made comments about the late conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
The move attracted fierce backlash, with some consumers cancelling their Disney Plus subscriptions and boycotting the company's products in response.
But it also sparked jubilation from conservatives, including US President Donald Trump, who remarked that Kimmel's program was axed due to low ratings.
Earlier this week, ABC announced the program would return on Tuesday night.
In his opening monologue, the comedian used humour and a series of pointed messages to thank his supporters and talk about the importance of free speech.
He particularly decried threats made by FCC Chairperson Brendan Carr last week, which Kimmel said were a "direct violation" of the First Amendment — and also called the government's efforts to "coerce" broadcast affiliates to take his show off the air "un-American" and dangerous.
In the 12 hours since being posted to YouTube, the full video of Kimmel's return had attracted 11 million views on the one site alone.
Rogan hits out at government 'dictating'
Kimmel's suspension came alongside wider efforts by Mr Trump and other conservatives to police speech after Mr Kirk's killing.
Beyond late night, that's impacted anyone from teachers to journalists — including firings over comments some right-wing influencers have viewed as offensive, or even critical of Mr Kirk's polarising legacy.
Following Kimmel's reinstatement, Mr Trump posted on his Truth Social account ".. Let's see how we do."
But efforts by the Trump administration to pressure critics is facing some backlash from his own side of politics.
Prominent American podcaster Joe Rogan joined the chorus of prominent celebrities expressing concern about freedom of speech rights in the United States.
"I definitely don't think the government should be involved ever in dictating what a comedian can or can't say in a monologue," he said on his September 23 episode.
"You're crazy for supporting this, because this will be used on you."
Republican Senator Ted Cruz also criticised the move, last week describing the FCC chair as having acted like a Mafioso.
A number of prominent Hollywood celebrities and unions have also come in behind Kimmel, piling pressure on ABC to reinstate his program.
