Jimmy Kimmel Fires Back at Donald Trump Over Fake Political Affairs Allegation
In the latest chapter of the long-running feud between late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel and former President Donald Trump, Kimmel has once again taken a sharp, comedic jab at Trump’s latest claims. The spat started when Trump, during a recent speech, accused Kimmel of spreading “fake political affairs” on his talk show, alleging that Kimmel, along with other late-night hosts, has been a tool for the Democratic Party, constantly fabricating stories to harm his political reputation.
On Thursday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the host didn’t hesitate to respond, delivering his trademark humor laced with biting political commentary. Kimmel, visibly amused by Trump’s remarks, dedicated a significant portion of his monologue to address the former president’s accusations.
Trump’s Latest Attack
Trump’s accusation came during a rally in Iowa, where he claimed that the late-night comedy circuit, including Kimmel, has become nothing more than a platform for “left-wing propaganda.” Trump singled out Kimmel, calling him “a mouthpiece for the fake news media” and “a puppet of the Democrats.”
In a typically bombastic manner, Trump stated, “All they do is lie. Jimmy Kimmel, he’s one of the worst. Every night he’s up there talking about these fake political affairs—stories that don’t even exist! It’s all a joke! They’ve turned late-night TV into a propaganda machine.”
This is far from the first time Trump has aimed his rhetorical cannons at late-night hosts. Throughout his presidency and since leaving office, Trump has repeatedly expressed disdain for the way Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, and other comedians have portrayed him on their shows.
Kimmel’s Fiery Response
Kimmel, always quick to respond to political figures who criticize him, opened his monologue on Thursday night by sarcastically thanking Trump for giving his show free publicity. “I’m honored that the former president took the time out of his very busy schedule of playing golf and filing lawsuits to mention me,” Kimmel quipped, drawing laughter from the audience.
“Trump’s mad because apparently, I’m making up fake political affairs,” Kimmel continued. “Well, if you want to talk about fake affairs, Donald, you might want to start with a certain hush money payment to an adult film star. Just saying.”
Kimmel’s reference to Trump’s alleged extramarital relationships and the hush money payments linked to adult film actress Stormy Daniels was met with a loud response from the audience, and Kimmel didn’t stop there. He then took a moment to mock Trump’s tendency to project his own behavior onto others, saying, “Trump accusing me of faking things is like a guy who sells steaks at Sharper Image accusing a chef of not knowing how to cook.”
Kimmel also highlighted the absurdity of the claim that late-night television has turned into a political weapon. “Yeah, I wake up every morning with my marching orders from the DNC,” he said, dripping with sarcasm. “They call me and say, ‘Jimmy, make sure you mention that thing Trump did ten years ago, and don’t forget to use the word ‘bigly.’ It’s all part of a very sophisticated operation.”
The Ongoing Feud
The relationship between Trump and Kimmel has been frosty for years. Kimmel was once a guest on *The Apprentice*, but as Trump’s political career evolved, so did the jokes at his expense. During Trump’s presidency, Kimmel regularly skewered his policies, gaffes, and inflammatory remarks, becoming one of his most vocal critics in the entertainment world.
The feud reached a boiling point in 2018 when Kimmel clashed with Trump over healthcare reform. Kimmel’s emotional monologues about his infant son’s congenital heart condition and the need for affordable healthcare turned into pointed criticisms of Trump’s attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
Since leaving office, Trump has remained a frequent topic in Kimmel’s monologues, as the former president’s continued influence on the Republican Party and the political landscape provides ample material for satire.
The Broader Context
Kimmel is not the only comedian in Trump’s crosshairs. Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, and other late-night hosts have faced similar accusations from Trump, who often dismisses their critiques as politically motivated. In Trump’s eyes, the comedians represent a larger media ecosystem that, in his view, is unfairly biased against him.
However, Kimmel and other comedians argue that their commentary is simply a reflection of the news of the day. “We don’t make up the news,” Kimmel said in his closing remarks. “We just tell jokes about it. And trust me, with Trump, the jokes practically write themselves.”
Conclusion
As the 2024 presidential election draws closer, the conflict between Trump and late-night hosts like Kimmel is likely to intensify. Trump’s attempts to dismiss them as propagandists for the left won’t stop Kimmel from offering his sharp, humorous takes on the political world. If anything, Trump’s latest claims have given Kimmel even more material to work with, ensuring that the former president will continue to be a regular punchline on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
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