ABC’s late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! is set to return on Tuesday, nearly a week after it was suspended following controversial remarks made by host Jimmy Kimmel about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The decision was confirmed by the Walt Disney Company, ABC’s parent, on Monday.

Disney explained that the pause was meant to ease tensions at “an emotional moment for the country.” “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,” the company said.

The controversy erupted after Kimmel suggested in his monologue that Tyler Robinson, the suspect in Kirk’s killing, could have been aligned with pro-Trump groups. “The MAGA gang [is] desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them,” Kimmel remarked, sparking political outrage.

Former President Donald Trump and his administration strongly criticized Kimmel, accusing the “radical left” of downplaying violence against conservatives. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr went as far as to warn Disney and ABC of possible penalties, including reviewing broadcast licenses of ABC affiliates.

The suspension drew mixed responses. While Trump and allies welcomed the move, Hollywood stars and unions voiced support for Kimmel. More than 400 celebrities, including Tom Hanks and Jennifer Aniston, signed an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) letter defending his right to free speech.

Adding to the fallout, Nexstar Media Group announced on September 18 that its network of over 200 ABC-affiliated stations would preempt the show “for the foreseeable future.” It remains unclear how long affiliates will continue the blackout despite ABC’s decision to resume production.