JD Vance slams Jimmy Kimmel return, says he never apologized to Charlie Kirk's family

DALLAS, NORTH CAROLINA: Vice President JD Vance directly called out Jimmy Kimmel for failing to properly apologize after his controversial comments about Charlie Kirk’s shooter.

Vance said the late-night host spread false claims and never addressed the harm caused.

JD Vance says Jimmy Kimmel spread disinformation about Charlie Kirk shooter

The criticism came during recent public appearances where Vance also addressed questions about the FCC’s threats against ABC and broader concerns over free speech.

Vance argued that Kimmel’s remarks were not only offensive but also misleading, insisting that the apology offered was incomplete.

“He didn’t actually say sorry to Charlie Kirk or his family,” Vance said.

He added, “And the reason why so many people, including me, were upset with what Jimmy Kimmel said is that he accused Charlie Kirk’s murderer of being a MAGA. It wasn’t a joke — it was straight-up disinformation, and I really wish Jimmy Kimmel would apologize for it.

JD Vance defends free speech in response to FCC commissioner threats

During a Q&A session at the North Carolina rally, a reporter pressed Vance about the fallout from Kimmel’s monologue and the role of the FCC.

Vance dismissed the notion of federal censorship, arguing the issue had nothing to do with government action.

“Well, look, on the free speech conversation, I’m pretty sure that Jimmy Kimmel was back on the air last night, and to the extent that he’s not back on the air, it’s because he’s not funny and has terrible ratings. This is not a federal government problem,” Vance said to applause.

He went on to address the FCC commissioner’s warning. “What people will say is, ‘Well, didn’t the FCC commissioner put a tweet out that said something bad?’ Well..., compare that — the FCC Commissioner making a joke on social media. What is the government action that the Trump administration has engaged in to kick Jimmy Kimmel or anybody else off the air? Zero,” Vance said.

JD Vance accuses Joe Biden administration of real censorship

Vance also sought to draw a contrast between the Trump and Biden administrations on the issue of free speech, pointing to actions against conservative voices online.

“What government pressure have we brought to bear to tell people that they’re not allowed to speak their mind? Zero. We believe in free speech in the Trump administration. We are fighting every single day to protect it,” Vance said.

He continued, “Now compare that to the Biden administration, where we found out just yesterday that conservatives on YouTube and on a number of social media platforms were being censored."

"Why? Because the Biden administration picked up the phone and said, ‘We want you to censor our political opponents.’ That is real government censorship, and it left the White House when Joe Biden left the White House,” he said.