Jimmy Fallon Fights Back Tears While Talking About the Orlando Shooting in His Opening Monologue

Following the tragic events of the gay nightclub shooting in Orlando, FL, on Sunday that left 50 people dead and more than 50 others injured, making it the most fatal shooting in US history, there has been an outpouring of love for everyone affected. On Monday night's episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the host used his opening monologue to address the shooting with a somber, eloquent message for his audience. "I know everyone is angry right now and doesn't know how to react, and this is a time when people are looking to us as a country and how we will react," he began. "This country was built on an idea that we don't agree on everything; that we are a tolerant, free nation that encourages debate, free-thinking, believing, or not, in what you choose."

Jimmy, who is a dad to daughters Winnie and Frances, also touched on how the shooting has changed the way he thinks about being a parent. "I, as a new father, am thinking, 'What do I tell my kids?' What do I tell them about this? What can we learn from this? What if my kids are gay? What do I tell them?" In the same way that President Barack Obama and J.K. Rowling have spoken out about the shooting, Jimmy was able to close his monologue with a simple sentiment that everyone would do well to keep in mind: "Keep loving each other, keep respecting each other, and keep on dancing."