Jimmy Kimmel responds to Donald Trump’s insult after former US president calls the comedian the worst choice to host the Oscars 2024.
Before the 96th Annual Academy Awards broadcast wrapped on Sunday, the comedian paused the show to respond to some shade thrown his way by the former president earlier in the evening.
“Doing this show is not about me, and I appreciate you having me. It’s really about you and Oscar and all these great actors and actresses and filmmakers,” Kimmel said. “But I was told I had an extra minute and I’m really proud of something, and I was wondering if I could share it with you?”
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! star then read a post Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“I just go a review…” he said, before pulling up the post and quoting Trump. “Has there EVER been a WORSE HOST than Jimmy Kimmel at The Oscars. His opening was that of a less than average person trying too hard to be something which he is not, and never can be.”
“Get rid of Kimmel and perhaps replace him with another washed up, but cheap, ABC ‘talent,’ George Slopanopoulos,” continued Trump, referencing Good Morning America anchor George Stephanopoulos — who on Sunday interviewed Republican lawmaker Nancy Mace. “He would make everybody on stage look bigger, stronger, and more glamorous.”
Kimmel added a “blah blah blah” before reading off Trump’s campaign slogan: “Make America Great Again.”
“See if you can guess which former president just posted that on Truth Social? Anyone?” Kimmel asked.
His punchline elicited laughs from the star-studded crowd at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, including from Jodie Foster and Annette Bening, two of the evening’s acting nominees.
“Well thank you, President Trump. Thank you for watching,” Kimmel said.”I’m surprised, isn’t it past your jail time?”
“He’s focused on the important stuff, for sure,” Kimmel added.
The dig was one of the only political comments made during the three-and-a-half-hour ceremony, despite Trump claiming otherwise.
The 96th Oscars, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, aired live Sunday from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California.
