Jimmy Kimmel is addressing the fallout from his controversial remarks about President Trump, the “MAGA gang,” and reactions to Charlie Kirk’s assassination. At a Bloomberg Screentime event in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Kimmel said he didn’t initially believe his Sept. 15 monologue was problematic, describing his comments as a pushback against what he saw as distortions by right-wing media. However, ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air for several days, with Disney later explaining the suspension was meant to avoid further inflaming a tense national moment. The show returned on Sept. 23. Kirk was shot and killed at a Utah Valley University event on Sept. 10. During his monologue, Kimmel accused MAGA supporters of politicizing the tragedy and mocked President Trump’s response, saying Trump seemed more interested in bragging about a new White House ballroom than mourning Kirk. Kimmel now claims his remarks were “intentionally and maliciously mischaracterized,” but admitted the suspension gave him time to reflect. He said conversations with Disney executives, including CEO Bob Iger and co-chair Dana Walden, were constructive, helping him “understand where everyone was coming from.” He acknowledged he can be “reactionary, aggressive, and unpleasant,” but said stepping back ultimately helped him think things through.