NEW YORK (AP) — Jimmy Kimmel returned to his late-night show on Tuesday, just under a week after ABC pulled the host off the air indefinitely in the wake of criticism over his comments related the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk earlier this month.

Kimmel was emotional during his opening monologue, nearly breaking down at least twice when he told his audience “it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.” He added that he also didn’t intend to “blame any specific group” for the actions of Kirk’s alleged killer — but understand that, to some, “that felt either ill-timed or unclear or maybe both.”

Kimmel’s comments that led to his suspension did not extensively focus on Kirk, who was a close ally of President Donald Trump. But he took aim at Trump and

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