Jimmy Kimmel has criticised “anti-American” threats to free speech during an emotional return to late-night US television – following a controversial suspension after over comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Through tears, the comedian said during Tuesday’s comeback show that “it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man”.

Kimmel then went on to accuse the head of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of “mob tactics”, and poked fun at President Donald Trump’s appearance at the UN – including an escalator mishap.

Despite the show not being made available to viewers in all markets, due to opposition from some local stations affiliated with Kimmel’s network ABC. The return episode recorded its highest ratings in a decade, according to Disney.

Some 6.26 million people tuned in to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday – about triple its average ratings – despite about a quarter of ABC stations in the US not airing it.

A further 26 million watched Kimmel’s emotional 28-minute monologue on social media, Disney said.

The initial numbers, compiled by analytics firm Nielsen, will likely increase over the coming days as more data is collected. The figures do not include streaming viewership.

Trump, who had welcomed the comedian’s suspension, was critical of the reinstatement, writing: “I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back.”

Jimmy Kimmel Live! had been pulled after its host’s statements about the shooting of Kirk caused uproar earlier this month.

The show’s suspension prompted strong backlash from lawmakers, labour unions, and free speech proponents. Celebrity campaigns and boycotts targeted Disney, ABC’s parent company.