Former President Donald Trump and TV host Jimmy Kimmel have engaged in a sharp exchange of words, centering on Kimmel's recent monologue jokes about Trump's ongoing legal challenges and business woes.
In a fiery online post, Trump lambasted Kimmel, who responded by incorporating the criticism into his show. The Hill reported that on Wednesday, Trump took to Truth Social to express his displeasure with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel had previously made jokes about Trump during his show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
These jokes followed the second day of jury selection in a legal case involving Trump, where he faces 34 charges related to falsifying business records to conceal payments made to silence Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
The embattled former president did not hold back in his response, criticizing not only Kimmel’s recent comedy but also his hosting of the Oscars on March 12, 2023. Trump labeled Kimmel "stupid," and "a fool," and lambasted his Oscars performance as one of the worst in history.
Trump's scathing review of Kimmel's performance circulated widely on social media, engaging fans and critics alike. "Stupid Jimmy Kimmel, who still hasn’t recovered from his horrendous performance and big ratings drop as Host of The Academy Awards, especially when he showed he suffered from TDS, commonly known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, to the entire World by reading on air my TRUTH about how bad a job he was doing that night... Supposedly his wife, and even management, begged him not to do it, 'DON’T READ HIS TRUTH, JIMMY, PLEASE DON’T DO THIS,' they said,” Trump exclaimed.
Continuing his critique, Trump added, "He was made to look like a FOOL, which he is, and at the same time go down in Television History as the WORST HOST EVER OF THE ONCE VAUNTED ACADEMY AWARDS!" His post emphasized his disdain for what he perceived as a decline in the quality of the awards show under Kimmel's stewardship.
Kimmel, not one to shy away from controversy, read Trump's criticisms on air during his show, integrating them into his routine. He countered with humor, spotlighting Trump's ongoing legal troubles and questionable incidents during the trial. "Another Stormy Day in New York in the new episode of ‘The Orange People’s Court’ today, starring Donald J. Trump as the defendant in his first of many criminal trials to come. We have a lot to look forward to," Kimmel quipped.
Amidst this heated exchange, the financial performance of Trump's business ventures also came under scrutiny. Trump Media & Technology Group, in which Trump owns approximately 58% of the shares, saw its stock skyrocket to over $79 during its initial trading day last month. However, it subsequently plummeted by roughly 70% within two weeks.
By Tuesday, shares of Trump Media & Technology Group were down by more than 13% before the market closed, highlighting significant volatility and investor uncertainty. Kimmel seized on this downturn, making pointed remarks about the financial health of the former president's business empire. "But then the worst news for the Trump kids is Daddy is running out of money. Shares in his media company have plummeted. They’re down 70 percent since they went public a couple of weeks ago, they’re down another 14 percent today," Kimmel noted.
Kimmel's jokes continued to intertwine Trump's legal and financial issues, suggesting a theme of downfall and mismanagement. "He could have saved himself a whole trial and 130 grand," he said, lampooning the former president’s alleged attempts to silence past acquaintances.
Furthermore, Kimmel did not miss the opportunity to comment on anecdotes from the courtroom, including a humorous take on Trump’s demeanor. "He’s very sleepy. Is it possible his lawyers are tranquilizing him, to keep the outbursts at a minimum?" he jested.
Kimmel also challenged the sincerity of Trump's supporters, insinuating that they remain loyal despite the controversies. "So his supporters wouldn’t find out he’s a lying, cheating scumbag, but the joke is on Trump because turns out his supporters don’t care that he’s a lying, cheating scumbag," he commented, reflecting his trademark provocative style.
In conclusion, the combative discourse between Trump and Kimmel underscores a larger narrative of political and celebrity confrontation, amplified by the judicial spotlight and financial downturns. As legal proceedings continue and financial markets react, the public discourse seems poised to oscillate between courtroom updates and late-night comedy critiques.