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

5. Lifespring Church

Following the return of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show on Tuesday, the X account for Lifespring Church in Saginaw, Michigan, highlighted the comedian's response to Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, forgiving her husband's killer. 

"Whether you like him or not, comedian Jimmy Kimmel had something profound to say during his first monologue back after being taken off the air: 'That is an example we should follow. If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do, there it was … a selfless act of grace,'" the church stated in its post on X. 

The late-night show host choked up during his Tuesday night monologue, saying that Erika forgiving the man who murdered her husband was something that "touched him deeply." 

"And I hope it touches many, and if there's anything we should take from this tragedy to carry forward, I hope it can be that and not this," Kimmel said.

The conservative activist's widow spoke during a Sunday memorial service for her late husband at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, which was watched by millions worldwide. During her speech, Erika referenced her husband's killer. 

"That young man, I forgive him," Erika said, leading to applause from the audience. 

"I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and is what Charlie would do," she said. "The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the Gospel is love, is always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us."