He went on to accuse Trump of celebrating when Americans lose their jobs, saying, “Our leader wants comedians fired because he can’t take a joke. That’s not strength—that’s anti-American.”
Emotional Words for Erika Kirk
While much of the monologue carried Kimmel’s usual humor, the tone shifted when he addressed the pain surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death. Fighting back tears, Kimmel said:
“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. I sent love to his family the day it happened, and I meant it then and I still do.”
He acknowledged that some found his earlier remarks ill-timed and said he understood why people were upset.
Kimmel then turned his focus to Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, who stunned many by publicly forgiving her husband’s killer.
“She forgave him. That is an example we should follow,” Kimmel said. “If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do, there it was—a selfless act of grace. Forgiveness from a grieving widow. It touched me deeply.”
A Powerful Closing Message
Kimmel ended by urging viewers to take Erika’s act of forgiveness as the true lesson from the tragedy: “If there’s anything we should carry forward from this, I hope it’s that.”
What do you think of Jimmy Kimmel’s emotional words and Erika Kirk’s act of forgiveness? Do you see it as a moment of grace—or was it overshadowed by the controversy? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!