Jimmy Kimmel ABC returned to the Jimmy Kimmel airwaves Tuesday night a week after the network’s decision to “cut” his show in light of what he said about Charlie Kirk’s killer.

In the 17-minute monologue with which he opened his show, Kimmel initially made it clear in emotion that he wasn’t trying to joke about the conservative activist’s murder.

“I’m under no illusion that I’m going to change anybody’s mind, but I want to make one thing clear, because it’s important to me as a human being, and that is that you understand that it was never my intention to minimize the murder of a young man. I don’t think there is anything funny about it. Nor was it my intention to blame any particular group for the actions of a person who was obviously deeply disturbed. That was the exact opposite of what I meant to say,” Kimmel said.

At the same time, however, he criticized ABC for cutting his show, saying “that’s not legal. It’s not American. It’s un-American,” while Donald Trump did not escape his arrows.

“We cannot allow our government to control what we can and cannot say on television. We have to resist that. President Trump has been very clear that he wants me and hundreds of working people to lose our jobs. Our president is celebrating Americans losing their incomes because he can’t take a joke,” Kimmel said.

The celebrity presenter thanked people who supported him, even those who don’t like him, but defended his right to express himself, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz: “It takes courage to express opposition to the current administration. They did it and they deserve credit for it.”

Jimmy Kimmel also mentioned Charlie Kirk’s wife, Erika, and the way she confronted her husband’s killer at the funeral last Saturday: “She forgave him. He forgave her. If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do, that’s it. This is it. A selfless act of grace. Forgiveness from a grieving widow. It touched me deeply. If there is anything we need to take away from this tragedy to move forward, I hope it is this.”

Trump’s reaction

For his part, Donald Trump criticized ABC for reinstating Kimmel’s show.

“I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,” he wrote on Truth Social.

“ABC has informed the White House that his show has been canceled! Something has happened between then and now because his audience HAS BEEN DISSOLVED and his “talent” never existed. Why would they want someone back who is doing so badly, who is not funny, and who is endangering the network by playing 99% positive Democratic SHIT,” the US president added.