Erika Kirk says she doesn’t need Kimmel’s apology: ‘If that’s not in your heart, don’t do it’

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: CEO of Turning Point USA, Erika Kirk, said she did not need an apology from late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel following his comments about her late husband, TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk.

She spoke to Fox News’ Jesse Watters, emphasizing that any apology should come from the heart and not be a mere formality.

Erika Kirk explains reaction to Jimmy Kimmel comments 

Erika Kirk told Jesse Watters how she responded after controversy emerged over Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks about her husband Charlie Kirk.

Watters asked, “Jimmy Kimmel lied about your husband’s murder and didn’t really apologize. What would you say to Jimmy Kimmel?”

Kirk recalled an exchange with Sinclair Broadcast Group, whose ABC affiliate stations aired ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’

She said, “Same thing I told Sinclair. They asked, ‘Do you want Jimmy to give you an apology? Do you want to be on a show? How can we make it right?”

She added, “Through our team, I responded, ‘Tell them thank you, we received their note. This is not our issue, not our mess. If you want to say I’m sorry to someone who’s grieving, go right ahead. But if that’s not in your heart, don’t do it. I don’t want it. I don’t need it.’”

Jimmy Kimmel monologue sparks controversy over Charlie Kirk’s death

The controversy began with Kimmel’s monologue on September 15, in which he appeared to connect Charlie Kirk's suspected killer with the “MAGA gang.”

Kimmel said, “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it."

Following these comments, Sinclair Broadcast Group expressed strong objections, stating it “objected to recent comments Mr. Kimmel made about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.” The network demanded a direct apology to the Kirk family and a donation in their name, while temporarily suspending Kimmel’s show amid public backlash.

Jimmy Kimmel returns without apologizing to Charlie Kirk family

Kimmel returned to the air on September 23 without delivering the requested apology. He claimed his comments had been "maliciously mischaracterized" and insisted he had never intended to make light of Kirk’s murder.

Kimmel said, “I 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. I don’t — I don’t think there’s anything funny about it.” 

Despite the absence of an apology, Nexstar and Sinclair resumed airing “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” Sinclair’s initial statement had emphasized that the suspension would remain until ABC addressed the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability, including a direct apology and a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk family and Turning Point USA.