Kimmel Fires Back at Trump After Renewed Calls for His Firing
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A late-night host’s monologue became a direct response to a former president’s escalating grievances, highlighting a continuing clash between political figures and media personalities. The exchange unfolded after Donald Trump once again demanded Jimmy Kimmel’s removal from ABC, initiating a public back-and-forth that touched on sensitive legal matters and personal jabs.
On Thursday evening, Kimmel addressed Trump’s latest demand, stemming from a post on Truth Social, during his monologue. The host recounted a conversation with his wife, who informed him of the former president’s call for his firing. “My wife comes out of the bathroom. She’s got her phone. She goes, ‘Trump tweeted, you should be fired again,’” Kimmel shared with his audience. “I was like, ‘Oh.’ Then I went downstairs and made bagels for the kids.”
Trump’s Late-Night Viewing Habits
Kimmel pointed out the timing of Trump’s post, noting it was published at 12:49 a.m. – just eleven minutes after his show concluded on the East Coast. “He posted this at 12:49 a.m. — 11 minutes after the show ended on the East Coast. Which is nice. He watches us live. Hi, Mr. President! Thanks for watching us on TV instead of on YouTube. We appreciate that. It’s viewers like you who keep us on the air, ironically.” This observation underscored a somewhat ironic dynamic: the former president, a frequent critic of the media, appears to be a dedicated viewer of Kimmel’s program.
Kimmel expressed his exasperation with the repeated demands for his dismissal. “I have honestly lost count of how many times the president has demanded I be pulled off the air,” he stated. He then characterized Trump as a “snowflake,” suggesting the former president is overly sensitive to criticism. “Talk about a snowflake, this guy. Every five weeks, he flips out and wants me fired.”
A Proposal for Joint Departure
The host recalled a previous attempt by Trump to have him fired in September, which proved unsuccessful. He then offered a playful, yet pointed, proposal to the former president. “How about this: I’ll go when you go, okay? We’ll be a team. Let’s ride off into the sunset together like Butch Cassidy and the Suntan Kid.”
Kimmel concluded his segment with a direct quote borrowed from Trump himself, delivered with a touch of sarcasm. “Until then, if I may borrow a phrase from you: quiet, piggy.”
Epstein Files Fuel the Feud
The renewed call for Kimmel’s removal followed the host’s coverage of Trump’s reaction to the ongoing release of documents related to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Trump recently signed legislation mandating the Justice Department to release these files, despite initial efforts to block the bill. According to reports, the former president has appeared increasingly agitated when questioned about his connections to Epstein, reportedly telling a reporter on Air Force One last week, “Quiet, piggy,” when pressed on the matter.
Kimmel predicted a turbulent period ahead, anticipating further reactions from Trump as the Epstein files are released. “The Justice Department has 30 days to release the files, which will make for a very Merry Christmas indeed,” he quipped. “I have a prediction for the next 30 days: I think we’re going to see Trump do some of the craziest sh*t yet.”
