In the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s death, the nation watched as grief, outrage, and politics collided. Few moments captured that tension more intensely than the reaction to Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks following the tragedy. Now, a new interview with Erika Kirk reveals what the conservative activist's widow would say to Kimmel.
Critics accused Kimmel of crossing a the line by appearing to link Charlie’s assassin to the Republican Party. The fallout was swift and shocking as Sinclair Broadcasting Group pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its stations, ABC suspended the show, and calls for the comedian’s permanent cancellation followed.
But while pundits and politicians lined up to condemn Kimmel, the person most directly affected, Erika Kirk, has taken a markedly different approach. In an upcoming interview with Jesse Watters, Kirk was asked what she would say to Kimmel. She responded “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.”
Her message comes as a bit of a surprise, especially given how vocal others have been about cancelling Kimmel. But it seems as if Erika Kirk does not want Kimmel to be part of the story as she moves forward in the aftermath of a personal tragedy.
Sinclair consulted Erika Kirk about Jimmy Kimmel
In fact, Sinclair Broadcast Group even reached out to Erika to see how she wanted to handle things in the immediate aftermath of Kimmel's September 15 episode. "They asked, 'Do you want Jimmy to give you an apology? Do you want to be on his show? How can we make it right?'" Kirk revealed. "Through our team, I responded. I said, 'Tell them, thank you. We received their note. This is not our issue. This is not our mess.'"
Kirk surely would have had support if she chose to be vocal about Kimmel permanently losing his late-night gig at ABC. Plenty of people joined the conversation, including President Trump, and expressed their thoughts on what should or shouldn't happen to Kimmel. But Kirk decided that Kimmel's future was not her concern.
Kimmel never issued a direct apology to the Kirk family, and by all accounts has not spoken to her privately. However, he did applaud Erika for her decision to forgive the man who shot her husband. The late-night TV host said the gesture should be the main takeaway from the tragedy rather than anything involving his controversy.
Kirk's comments regarding a hypothetical conversation with Kimmel echo a similar sentiment expressed by Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet last month. Kolvet expressed relief that Kimmel hadn't been cancelled and in turn, did not become a "martyr." It seems as if those closest to Charlie Kirk no longer want Kimmel to be part of the narrative.
It's something Kimmel likely is glad to accept. He thanked ABC for reinstating his show, admitted he poorly worded his point about Kirk, and turned his attention toward President Donald Trump. While Erika Kirk's interview may bring Kimmel's comments back to light, it doesn't sound like either side wants them to linger.
Erika Kirk's full interview will air on Wednesday, November 5, on Jesse Watters Primetime on Fox News.