Quick Read
- Jimmy Kimmel mocked Donald Trump’s claim of strong support in Minnesota, a state that hasn’t voted Republican in over 50 years.
- Trump expressed regret to The New York Times for not seizing voting machines after the 2020 election, questioning the National Guard’s “sophistication.”
- Kimmel labeled Trump the “world’s angriest telemarketer” for furious calls to GOP senators who limited his war powers.
- Trump appeared to forget a $2,000 check promise to Americans during a New York Times interview, later reiterating his intent.
- Kimmel highlighted the controversial killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis and showed videos of agents slipping on ice, dubbed the “ICE Ice Capades.”
In the ever-evolving landscape of American politics, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel continues to serve as a prominent voice, dissecting the week’s most perplexing headlines with his signature blend of sharp wit and incredulity. From Donald Trump’s seemingly unshakable convictions about past election outcomes to the contentious actions of immigration enforcement, Kimmel has consistently provided a comedic yet critical lens on the events shaping the nation.
Kimmel Questions Trump’s Electoral Reality and Past Regrets
One of the recurring themes in Kimmel’s recent monologues has been Donald Trump’s steadfast belief in his own electoral successes, even when confronted with historical data. The comedian expressed genuine bafflement over Trump’s insistence that he performed exceptionally well in Minnesota, a state that hasn’t voted for a Republican presidential candidate in over half a century. Kimmel, in a segment highlighted by AOL, humorously questioned, “What is he talking about? Is anybody going to ask that question? ‘Mr. President, what are you talking about?’ That should be the only question anyone ever asks him.” This sentiment underscores a broader frustration with what Kimmel often portrays as Trump’s detachment from verifiable facts.
Beyond retrospective claims, Kimmel also delved into Trump’s expressed regrets regarding the aftermath of the 2020 election. Speaking to The New York Times, Trump revealed he wished he had deployed the US National Guard to seize voting machines, an idea reportedly floated in late 2020 by advisers like Sidney Powell and Michael Flynn. These advisers had even drafted executive orders, referencing conspiracy theories about election fraud in states like Georgia and Michigan, to authorize the defense secretary to “seize, collect, retain and analyze all machines.” However, the proposal faced strong resistance from senior officials, including then-Attorney General William Barr, and ultimately did not move forward.
When pressed by The New York Times reporter about this unexecuted threat, Trump responded, “Well, I should have.” His subsequent musings on the National Guard’s capabilities added another layer of absurdity, as he questioned whether they would be “sophisticated enough” to uncover alleged Democratic cheating. “I don’t know that they are sophisticated enough. You know, they’re good warriors. I’m not sure that they’re sophisticated enough in the ways of crooked Democrats and the way they cheat, to figure that out,” Trump stated. Kimmel, in his comedic response, often highlights the irony and self-contradiction inherent in such declarations, particularly given that election integrity experts have consistently affirmed the security of the 2020 presidential race, and dozens of legal challenges brought by Trump’s campaign failed.
Foreign Policy Fumbles and Forgotten Pledges
Kimmel’s commentary extended beyond domestic election disputes to encompass Trump’s foreign policy rhetoric and unfulfilled promises. Jimmy Fallon, another late-night host, also joined in, noting how Trump’s “tough talk” on the world stage often contrasted with his repeated mispronunciations of country names, including Venezuela, Namibia, and Azerbaijan, as reported by Lee Moran. This linguistic stumbling, Fallon suggested, undercut the very image of strength Trump sought to project.
Kimmel himself lampooned Trump as the “world’s angriest telemarketer” after reports emerged of the president making furious calls to Republican senators who voted to limit his war powers. These five senators—Josh Hawley, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Susan Collins, and Todd Young—had sided with Democrats to ensure congressional approval for future military actions, particularly concerning Venezuela. Trump reportedly threatened to unseat them in upcoming elections, a tactic Kimmel highlighted as characteristic of his modus operandi. The late-night host also found humor in the bizarre saga surrounding the Nobel Peace Prize. After Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado reportedly dedicated her prize to Trump, the Norwegian Nobel Committee issued a rare statement clarifying that “A Nobel Prize can neither be revoked nor transferred to others.” Kimmel quipped about Trump’s obsession, joking that he’d “brought up this Nobel Prize more times in one weekend than you’ve mentioned your daughter Tiffany in 10 years.”
Adding to the list of Trump’s perplexing moments was an interview with The New York Times where he appeared to forget a previous vow to send Americans $2,000 checks funded by tariff revenues. When questioned by reporter Katie Rogers, Trump responded, “I did do that? When did I do that?” He then pivoted to a different initiative, a $1,776 payment to military personnel, which was congressionally allocated, not tariff-funded. Despite his initial blank, Trump later reiterated his intention to deliver the $2,000 checks “sometime, I would say, toward the end of the year,” citing substantial tariff money. This echoed an earlier, unfulfilled promise of $5,000 dividend checks from public funds saved through a proposed “Department of Government Efficiency.” Kimmel’s segments often highlight these instances, drawing attention to the disconnect between rhetoric and reality.
Minneapolis ICE Controversy and the “ICE Ice Capades”
Beyond his focus on political figures, Kimmel also turned his attention to a more somber and controversial event: the killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was fatally shot by a masked agent, Jonathan Ross, during an immigration enforcement “surge” in the city. The incident sparked widespread outrage, with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly stating, “To ICE: Get the f**k out of Minneapolis.” Kimmel, while acknowledging the “very dark stuff” unfolding, found a sliver of dark humor in the situation, as reported by Rolling Stone and indy100.
He showcased a compilation of viral videos depicting ICE agents slipping and falling on the icy streets of Minneapolis, which he dubbed the “ICE Ice Capades.” This segment, while offering a moment of levity amidst tragedy, also served as a commentary on the challenging and often chaotic nature of the enforcement operations. Kimmel even suggested that the ICE agents might be better deployed to Iran to “help” support protesters there, drawing an ironic parallel to the White House’s attempts to quell domestic protests while allegedly mulling support for overseas demonstrators. This segment exemplified Kimmel’s ability to blend serious social commentary with observational humor, providing a release valve for public frustration while still highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Jimmy Kimmel’s role as a late-night satirist has evolved into that of a crucial cultural commentator, adept at translating the often bewildering complexities of politics and social issues into digestible, humorous, yet poignant narratives. His ability to blend incredulity with sharp analysis, whether dissecting presidential claims or highlighting controversial law enforcement actions, not only entertains but also subtly encourages critical engagement from his audience, solidifying his position as a significant voice in contemporary media.