Jimmy Kimmel makes a biting remark at POTUS Donald Trump following show’s return after suspension 

2021 Media Access Awards Presented By Easterseals - Source: Getty
2021 Media Access Awards Presented By Easterseals - (Image via Getty)

Jimmy Kimmel is back on late-night television after his brief suspension by ABC. His return quickly caught attention because of the way he spoke about President Donald Trump. Kimmel opened his first show with direct remarks toward the president, saying he often talks about Trump because he sees him as a bully. He also said he does not like bullies, which is why Trump remains a regular subject in his monologues.

He said,

“I talk about Trump more than anything because he’s a bully. I don’t like bullies. I played the clarinet in high school, OK? So I just don’t like him.”

Jimmy Kimmel also responded to Trump’s comment about being surprised that ABC gave him his job back. The comedian joked that he too was surprised Americans gave Trump his job back through reelection. This back-and-forth showed how Kimmel is not afraid to use humor to call out the president on live television. His sharp tone made clear that his suspension did not change his approach.


Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks on Trump

Keep Memory Alive Hosts Star-Studded Lineup At Annual Power Of Love Gala - Source: Getty
Keep Memory Alive Hosts Star-Studded Lineup At Annual Power Of Love Gala - Source: Getty

In his first show back, Jimmy Kimmel mocked Trump for calling him “not funny” and for saying his show was just a tool of the Democratic Party. Kimmel compared Trump to a movie-style bully from the 1980s. This comparison was used to make the point that Trump acts in ways that remind people of characters who pick on others.

He further added:

“Donald Trump is an old-fashioned ’80s-movie-style bully, taking your lunch money ― and if you give it to him once, he’ll take it again,” he said. “Two things he loves, lunch and money.”

He also mentioned:

He will take that peanut butter and jelly sandwich your mom cut in half like a triangle for you. He will gobble it up in front of your face, and then he’ll eat your little Ziploc bag of Oreos, too. And he’ll take the note your mother put in your lunchbox and he’ll read it aloud to everyone. ‘Oh, look! Mommy woves her widdle boy.’ And then he’ll smile with a bunch of cookies in his teeth. And he’ll grab you by your nipples, and he’ll twist them until you have two holes in your Le Tigre shirt ― because your parents couldn’t afford an Izod ― and he’ll stuff you in a locker and he’ll stomp on your Trapper Keeper and slam the door.”

He wound up by saying,

“This is Donald Trump. He does it to everyone.”

Jimmy Kimmel also addressed Trump’s focus on ratings. He presented polling data showing that Trump had some of the lowest approval ratings of any president. Kimmel added that Trump knows all about bad ratings because of his own record. By using facts mixed with humor, Kimmel made his response stronger.

“You know, a lot of people watched our show last night," Kimmel said in his monologue.

He also mentioned:

"I did hear from one very special friend, moments after we taped our show last night, the mad red hatter wrote, 'I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back,'" Kimmel said "You can’t believe they gave me my job back? I can’t believe they gave you your job back! We’re even.”

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Suspension and free speech

Keep Memory Alive Hosts Star-Studded Lineup At Annual Power Of Love Gala - Source: Getty
Keep Memory Alive Hosts Star-Studded Lineup At Annual Power Of Love Gala - Source: Getty

Jimmy Kimmel was suspended for six days after making remarks linked to the shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. His words sparked outrage and led to pressure on ABC. Trump celebrated the suspension and used it to attack Kimmel publicly. But ABC chose to bring the host back after the brief break.

After returning, Jimmy Kimmel thanked Trump for the surge in his show’s ratings. Millions tuned in to see what he would say after the controversy. He noted that Trump’s actions against him ended up helping the show, which he found ironic. He said:

“We had our second-highest rated show in almost 23 years on the air," Kimmel said. "And I want to say, we couldn’t have done it without you, Mr. President. Thank you very much."

Jimmy Kimmel also made clear that he sees this issue as about more than himself. He argued that it is “anti-American” for government leaders to try to silence comedians. His stance is that comedy is part of free speech, and it should not be limited based on whether a president likes the jokes or not.

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Edited by Sangeeta Mathew