The feud between former President Donald Trump and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel reignited this week, escalating into a public demand from Trump for ABC to remove Kimmel from the air.
The latest volley began after Kimmel revisited Trump’s past interactions with journalists, playing a clip of the former president telling a female reporter to be “quiet, piggy” when she questioned him about Jeffrey Epstein. Kimmel pointed out the jarring nature of the remark, contrasting it with workplace sensitivity training and even the standards expected of an airline pilot.
Kimmel didn’t stop there, turning his attention to a recent White House meeting between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, accused of orchestrating a journalist’s murder. He highlighted Trump’s dismissive response when pressed about the incident, labeling the questioning “fake news” and downplaying the gravity of the situation.
The comedian’s sharp critique drew an immediate and characteristically blunt response from Trump, who took to his social media platform to denounce Kimmel as having “NO TALENT” and “VERY POOR TELEVISION RATINGS.” He demanded ABC “get the bum off the air!!!”
Kimmel, seemingly unfazed, responded with characteristic wit. He noted the timing of Trump’s post – 12:49 a.m., just minutes after his show concluded – and playfully thanked the former president for watching. He even quipped about Trump prioritizing commentary on his show “on the toilet” amidst significant scandals.
The late-night host then offered a bold proposition: he would resign if Trump did. “We’ll be a team,” Kimmel declared, envisioning a shared exit “like Butch Cassidy and the Suntan Kid.” He concluded with a pointed echo of Trump’s own words: “Quiet, piggy!”
This isn’t a new battle. The animosity between Trump and Kimmel stretches back years, originating in 2017 when Kimmel criticized Trump’s attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. It continued with pointed commentary on gun violence and escalated throughout Trump’s presidency.
Reports surfaced that Trump actively pressured ABC and Disney to silence Kimmel’s jokes, but the comedian remained undeterred, even using his hosting gig at the Oscars to playfully mock the former president’s social media complaints.
The conflict flared up again this summer when Stephen Colbert’s late-night show was cancelled, prompting Trump to celebrate and predict Kimmel’s imminent downfall. Kimmel, however, continues to hold his ground, turning Trump’s attacks into fuel for his comedic fire.
The ongoing exchange reveals a deep-seated personal animosity, a clash of personalities played out on a very public stage. It’s a spectacle that continues to captivate audiences, fueled by sharp wit and unwavering defiance on both sides.
