The monolog Jimmy Kimmel delivered on his return to late-night television had been seen over 17 million times on Google's YouTube and Meta's Instagram.

Hollywood

Jimmy Kimmel's return to his late-night show after a suspension by Disney garnered significant attention online, with his monologue accumulating more than 17 million views on YouTube and Instagram. The suspension followed remarks Kimmel made about the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, which led to pressure from the Trump administration for Disney to take action.

Kimmel addressed the controversy in his monologue, clarifying his intentions and acknowledging the role of former President Donald Trump in increasing the show's viewership. Audience reactions at the taping were largely supportive, while some Kirk supporters expressed disappointment at Kimmel's return. Despite the show's online popularity, some broadcasters chose not to air the episode, and Trump hinted at further action against ABC.

Jimmy Kimmel's return racks up over 17 million views on social media

I don't think what I have to say is going to make much of a difference. If you like me, you like me. If you don't, you don't. Jimmy Kimmel's monologue on his late-night show Tuesday racked up huge numbers on social media after his suspension by Disney. It garnered more than 17 million views on YouTube and Instagram combined as of Wednesday afternoon. Broadcast ratings for the episode were not yet available. I do want to make something clear because it's important to me as a human, and that is, you understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man. Kimmel returned to the air six days after his remarks about the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk led Disney to suspend his show under pressure from the Trump administration. Kimmel said he had President Donald Trump to thank for boosting the show's viewership. You almost have to feel sorry for him. He tried, did his best to cancel me. Instead, he forced millions of people to watch the show. That backfired bigly. He might have to release the Epstein files to distract us from this now. Audience members at the taping applauded the host's handling of the situation. I thought Jimmy was great. I think he handled it fantastically. I felt like he spoke from the heart. He was honest, and he said what we were all thinking. Oh, my gosh. It was like electric. It was awesome. It was very cool to be in there, and it feels like a very historic night to be here, yeah. Ahead of the taping, supporters at a memorial for Kirk outside of Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, said they were disappointed Kimmel's show was returning. I can't believe they're letting him back on the air. I'm so upset right now about that. It was symbolic. They just kicked him off for a couple of days, and they're going to bring him back, and he can spew his crap. I don't care. I've never watched him other than a few times. I couldn't tolerate him. I'm so sick of one side's opinion taking precedence. The company's decision to cut short Kimmel's exile marked a high-profile act of corporate defiance in the face of Trump's escalating crackdown on perceived enemies in the media through litigation and regulatory threats. Before Tuesday's broadcast, Trump said on his social media platform that he, quote, can't believe ABC gave Kimmel back his show, and hinted at further action against the network, adding, quote, I think we're going to test ABC out on this. Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair both opted on Tuesday to keep Jimmy Kimmel Live off their combined 70 owned and operated ABC stations, which account for about 23 percent of U.S. households.

World leaders have launched an initiative, “Democracy Now,” on the sidelines of the UNGA to counter far-right extremism and defend multilateralism. As the UN faces skepticism, a new initiative by Brazil, Spain, Chile, Uruguay, and Colombia is gaining support among member states.

New York

Leaders at the U.N. push reforms to counter authoritarian rise

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Manhattan

Ukraine Invasion

Rubio meets Russia's Lavrov after Trump shifts tone on Ukraine war

The family of one of the 67 people killed earlier this year when an American Airlines plane and a  U.S. Army helicopter collided over Washington, D.C., filed a lawsuit against the government and the airline.

Washington

Widow of D.C. plane crash victim sues American Airlines, federal gov.

The new Paramount+ documentary "Bodyguard of Lies" highlights the efforts across four presidential administrations to conceal the challenges the U.S. faced during the Afghanistan

New documentary uncovers gov. deception during Afghanistan War

In his address to the U.N. General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia wants to expand the war beyond Ukraine.

Putin wants to expand war beyond Ukraine, Zelenskyy warns U.N.

The Trump administration is rehiring hundreds of federal employees who were laid off during cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. CBS News' Olivia Rinaldi has more details.

Trump administration rehires hundreds laid off during DOGE cuts

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy faces up to 10 years in prison if a Paris court convicts him of secretly using funds from the Libyan government of late dictator Moammar Gadhafi to finance his presidential campaign in 2007.

Paris

Ex-French President Sarkozy awaits verdict in trial

An international aid flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza said on Wednesday (September 24) it was attacked overnight by drones in international waters off Greece, prompting Italy to send a navy ship to come to its assistance.

Middle East Conflict

Italy sends navy ship to help Gaza aid flotilla after drone attack

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Dallas

Three people shot at ICE facility in Dallas, officials say

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Beijing

China gives up WTO developing-country status as tariff tensions linger

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Trump reverses stance on Ukraine after meeting with Zelenskyy

After a six-day suspension, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel broke down in tears during his return to TV with a monologue focused on the importance of the maintaining the right to free speech while still poking fun at the Trump administration.

Los Angeles

Jimmy Kimmel makes emotional return with monologue about free speech

Typhoon Ragasa, the world's most powerful tropical cyclone this year, struck the southern Chinese city of Yangjiang on Wednesday after lashing Taiwan and Hong Kong with ferocious winds and heavy rains.

Yangjiang

Typhoon Ragasa lashes Hong Kong, Taiwan, southern China

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Kowloon

Typhoon Ragasa sweeping towards China, 14 killed in Taiwan

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West Palm Beach

Ryan Routh found guilty of trying to assassinate Trump

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Trump takes questions during meeting with Zelenskyy

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Santa Clara

Rise of AI

Nvidia to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI

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Houston

NASA prepares to send astronauts around the moon

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Trump delivers address at U.N. General Assembly

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Hong Kong Island

Super Typhoon Ragasa targets Southern China, Hong Kong

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to voluntarily maintain the limits on deployed strategic nuclear weapons set in the 2010 New START accord after it expires in February if the U.S. agreed to do the same.

Moscow

Putin offers Trump one-year extension to nuclear weapons treaty

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Trump, FDA tell pregnant women not to take Tylenol

ABC announced Monday that "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" will return to the air Tuesday night (September 23). The network pulled the show last week following a remark from Kimmel about the death of Charlie Kirk.

Jimmy Kimmel returning to air

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Rome

Thousands strike across Italy in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza

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Trump urges Pam Bondi to go after his political foes

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U.S. President Donald Trump was the final speaker at a politically charged memorial service for conservative activist and MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk that also included words of forgiveness from Kirk’s widow as well as remarks from the vice-president and one of Trump’s sons.

Glendale

Trump closes out Charlie Kirk memorial

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Breakdown