Jimmy Kimmel takes thinly veiled swipe at Donald Trump in first post since controversial Charlie Kirk comments

Jimmy Kimmel has taken a thinly-veiled swipe at US President Donald Trump, just hours before the return of his late-night show after it was pulled for his controversial and incorrect Charlie Kirk comments.

On Tuesday, Kimmel, 57, took to Instagram to post a tribute to TV producer Norman Lear, who the comedian noted was a free speech campaigner, which many of his fans saw as a dig at Trump.

“Missing this guy today,” Kimmel wrote under a photo of himself and Lear.

Lear passed away at 101 in December 2023. He was known for sitcoms such as The Jeffersons and All In The Family. He also appeared on former President Richard Nixon’s “enemies list” from 1969 to 1974.

Kimmel has been taking a break from social media since US network ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! following his commentary on political star Charlie Kirk, when he said the accused shooter Tyler Robinson was MAGA.

MAGA refers to Make America Great Again, the slogan which has been popularised by Trump’s political movement.

Kimmel said: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”

The FBI has said repeatedly that Robinson followed a left-wing ideology. Utah governor Spencer Cox has also said the accused shooter was “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology”.

Kimmel is yet to directly speak about his comments about Kirk. However, his post was liked by celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Olivia Wilde and Ellen Pompeo.

A number of fans voiced their support for Kimmel.

“Kill it tonight - feel all the love,” Rosie O’Donnell wrote.

“He is proud of you,” TV writer Phil Rosenthal added.

“You’re a good man Jimmy, will be watching you tonight,” another added.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! was put on an “indefinite” pause last week, prompting a backlash from fans, and allegations of freedom of speech being suppressed.

On Monday, the Walt Disney Company confirmed the program would return to the airwaves.

They said in a statement: “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. 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.”

More than 400 celebrities have signed a letter in support of the 57-year-old comedian.

Right-wing activist Kirk was shot dead on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University.

Police said he died instantly from a single gunshot wound to the neck.

His death has intensified political divisions, sparked heated debate over gun violence and free speech, and placed renewed scrutiny on media, security and public discourse in America.

- With BANG