5 reactions to Jimmy Kimmel's apology over Charlie Kirk remarks: 'Crocodile tears'

4. Bill Carter, New York Times reporter

Carter, who worked as The New York Times' chief television correspondent for 26 years, celebrated the return of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" after it was off the air for nearly a week, with the writer praising the late-night show host in particular. 

"An emotional but committed Jimmy Kimmel returned to his show with a manifesto on behalf of basic traditional American values," Carter wrote in a Tuesday X post. "He was also funny."

During his opening monologue, the comedian also commented that he had received a lot of feedback about what he should say on the show that night. 

"And the truth is, I don't think what I have to say is going to make much of a difference. If you like me, you like me. If you don't, you don't. I have no illusions about changing anyone's mind," the late-night show host said. 

Kimmel added that it was not his intention to make light of Charlie Kirk's murder, insisting that he was sincere when he posted a message on Instagram "sending love" to Kirk's family on the day of his assassination. He also claimed that he was not trying to blame one specific group of people for the conservative activist's murder. 

"But I understand that to some, that felt either ill-timed or unclear, or maybe both," the comedian said. "And for those who think I did point a finger, I get why you're upset. If the situation was reversed, there's a good chance I'd have felt the same way."

At one point during the show, Kimmel performed a comedic bit alongside actor Robert De Niro, in which the latter pretended to be Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr. De Niro portrayed Carr as if the FCC chairman were part of the mafia, which is likely a reference to Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz's accusation that Carr acted like "a mafioso" following the suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"