Jimmy Kimmel used his opening monologue this week to respond sharply to Donald Trump’s continued attacks on late-night hosts, calling the former president a ‘chubby little teacup.’ He also mocked recent comments in which Trump suggested hosts like Kimmel and Stephen Colbert should be cancelled. Kimmel lampooned Trump’s public posture during his monologue and also joked about alleged health rumours.
More importantly, he ridiculed the idea that Trump who has repeatedly criticised late night television shows and its hosts for years, is now suddenly a crusader for cancel culture. The segment featured a mix of satire, personal jabs and topical references. Clips of the monologue spread quickly on social media and ended up reviving a long-running feud between Kimmel and Trump.
The Jimmy Kimmel – Donald Trump Feud
The Kimmel–Trump sparring is part of a larger context where Trump has publicly attacked late-night hosts. Not surprisingly, the hosts have responded in kind. Trump has at different points attacked Colbert, Fallon, Kimmel and others in public comments this year, at times urging networks to cancel shows and calling hosts a variety of things.
Networks and hosts have pushed back, albeit feebly at times, arguing that editorial independence must be maintained. Trump’s attacks intensified when he suggested cancellations following other hosts’ programming changes. It looks like Kimmel has had enough and wanted to speak up. It remains to be seen if Donald Trump reacts to what Kimmel said. ‘When’ rather than ‘if.’
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