{"id":496745,"date":"2026-03-26T17:19:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T17:19:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/496745\/"},"modified":"2026-03-26T17:19:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T17:19:11","slug":"maga-comes-for-jimmy-kimmel-again-after-markwayne-mullin-plumber-gag","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/496745\/","title":{"rendered":"MAGA comes for Jimmy Kimmel again after Markwayne Mullin \u2018plumber\u2019 gag"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Your support helps us to tell the story<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 iCTyfe\">From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it&#8217;s investigating the financials of Elon Musk&#8217;s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, &#8216;The A Word&#8217;, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 iCTyfe\">At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-1uza6dc-0 iCTyfe\">The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n<p>Your support makes all the difference.Read more<\/p>\n<p>MAGA fans are tearing into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/arts-entertainment\/films\/news\/jimmy-kimmel-melania-trump-oscars-2026-b2939833.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jimmy Kimmel<\/a> on social media for poking fun at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/world\/americas\/us-politics\/markwayne-mullin-homeland-security-secretary-tsa-b2944221.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">new DHS secretary\u2019s former profession<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Markwayne Mullin was sworn in as the new leader of the Department of Homeland Security on March 24, replacing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/world\/americas\/us-politics\/kristi-noem-new-role-trump-administration-b2945595.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">controversial former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday\u2019s episode of <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DzuA9KqTl2w\">Jimmy Kimmel Live!<\/a>, the host joked that President Trump had a \u201cwhole new generation of thinkers lined up.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>\u201cBefore he was elected to the Senate, Markwayne Mullin was a low-level MMA fighter and a plumber,\u201d Kimmel grinned. \u201cThat\u2019s right, we have a plumber protecting us from terrorism now.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell, it worked for Super Mario, why not Markwayne,\u201d he continued. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Screenshot-2026-03-26-at-09-39-51.png\"  loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Jimmy Kimmel has been slammed by MAGA influencers for poking fun at DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin's former career\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/>Jimmy Kimmel has been slammed by MAGA influencers for poking fun at DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin&#8217;s former career (Jimmy Kimmel Live!)<\/p>\n<p>During the show, Kimmel also suggested that Trump should have a \u201clittle more fun\u201d with his nominations to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/bulletin\/news\/trump-markwayne-mullin-dhs-secretary-noem-b2944896.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">DHS Secretary position<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cInstead of Markwayne, how about Lil Wayne for Homeland Security,\u201d he asked, as an image of Trump and the rapper flashed up on the screen.<\/p>\n<p>Kimmel added, \u201cAt least we could get a concert out of it, right?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>On social media, GOP <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/world\/americas\/us-politics\/trump-tucker-carlson-iran-poll-b2941806.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">lawmakers<\/a> and influencers tore into Kimmel over his jokes about Mullin\u2019s profession.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI prefer plumbers to woke &amp; unfunny comedians,\u201d Senator Ted Cruz <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/tedcruz\/status\/2036895113230623082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2036895113230623082%7Ctwgr%5Ee73c6e98bf7e159f9e82cacb8dc70f221bbba81a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fmedia%2Fjimmy-kimmels-dig-plumber-dhs-secretary-markwayne-mullin-ripped-elite-online-critics\">wrote on X<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe elites too often look down their noses at blue collar, middle America,\u201d Representative Mike Collins <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RepMikeCollins\/status\/2036851853271417113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2036851853271417113%7Ctwgr%5Ee73c6e98bf7e159f9e82cacb8dc70f221bbba81a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fmedia%2Fjimmy-kimmels-dig-plumber-dhs-secretary-markwayne-mullin-ripped-elite-online-critics\">wrote on X<\/a>. \u201cThey try to demean a man by calling him a plumber.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Journalist Chris Cillizza <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ChrisCillizza\/status\/2036853693442634002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2036853693442634002%7Ctwgr%5Ee73c6e98bf7e159f9e82cacb8dc70f221bbba81a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fmedia%2Fjimmy-kimmels-dig-plumber-dhs-secretary-markwayne-mullin-ripped-elite-online-critics\">wrote on X<\/a>, \u201cNot a great look.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Senator Cynthia Lummis branded the joke as \u201cshameful\u201d on <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SenLummis\/status\/2036872181590774001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2036872181590774001%7Ctwgr%5Ee73c6e98bf7e159f9e82cacb8dc70f221bbba81a%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fmedia%2Fjimmy-kimmels-dig-plumber-dhs-secretary-markwayne-mullin-ripped-elite-online-critics\">social media<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Trump_14844.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Markwayne Mullin previously worked as a plumber before running to become a US representative\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/>Markwayne Mullin previously worked as a plumber before running to become a US representative (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)<\/p>\n<p>Several <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Pinkygirlpit\/status\/2036971159233937481\">X users<\/a> also expressed their anger at the joke, with one labelling the remark \u201cunfunny.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI can\u2019t wait for the day that Kimmel will be in need of a plumber,\u201d another <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/jlkitz1196\/status\/2037007220316017041\">wrote<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Mullin took over his family\u2019s business, Mullin Plumbing, in 1997, according to the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-affiliate=\"true\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/redirect.viglink.com?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newspapers.com%2Farticle%2Fsequoyah-county-times-mullin-announces-c%2F193192760%2F&amp;articleId=b2946009&amp;key=5b1a6400a3c0d931ed2037885e1a27a3\">Sequoyah County Times<\/a>. At the time, the business had just six employees. <\/p>\n<p>Under his leadership, the company became the largest plumbing business in Mullin\u2019s home state of Oklahoma by 2011, according to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-affiliate=\"true\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/redirect.viglink.com?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newspapers.com%2Farticle%2Ftulsa-world-political-notebook%2F193191115%2F&amp;articleId=b2946009&amp;key=5b1a6400a3c0d931ed2037885e1a27a3\">Tulsa World<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>However, speaking on <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=eQ1FqBYqS84\">The Elephant in the Room<\/a>, Mullin admitted that he \u201cnever wanted to be a plumber.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019d probably say that I was a little bit embarrassed about being a plumber,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n<p>Despite that, Mullin said he and his wife had a \u201cvision\u201d to bring \u201cpride\u201d to the profession, including providing branded trucks and uniforms to their workers.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/APTOPIX_Trump_05087.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Mullin replaced controversial politician Kristi Noem as DHS secretary\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/>Mullin replaced controversial politician Kristi Noem as DHS secretary (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)<\/p>\n<p>In his youth, Mullin had been a keen wrestler and went on to attend Missouri Valley College on a wrestling scholarship.<\/p>\n<p>However, according to the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/nwhof.org\/hall_of_fame\/bio\/3869\">National Wrestling Hall of Fame<\/a>, Mullin decided to leave the sport because of a recurring shoulder injury.<\/p>\n<p>In 2016, the Oklahoma Chapter of NWHOF presented Mullin with an \u201cOutstanding American\u201d award, recognizing his success as a wrestler. <\/p>\n<p>The now-DHS Secretary served as the U.S. representative for Oklahoma\u2019s second congressional district from 2013 until 2023. From 2023 until 2026, he served as the state\u2019s junior senator.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":496746,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[96,391,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-496745","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-entertainment","tag-tv","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/496745","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=496745"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/496745\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/496746"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=496745"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=496745"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=496745"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}