Jimmy Kimmel has hit back at Donald Trump’s threat that his talk show,Jimmy Kimmel Live!, is set to be the next one axed. The conflict came amid fallout fromCBS’s cancelation ofThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a decision that was rumored to relate to a merger with Skydance, for which CBS required approval from the Trump administration.
PerVariety, the back-and-forth between Trump and late-night comedians continues, with Kimmel firing back at the President over his comments. Last week, following CBS’s decision to cancelThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the President took to social media to express his delight at Colbert being axed, andTrump took aim at Kimmel, claiming, “I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next.”
On Tuesday, Trump doubled down, posting on the unverified claim that Kimmel’s show is next on the chopping block.
“The word is, and it’s a strong word at that, Jimmy Kimmel is NEXT to go in the untalented Late Night Sweepstakes and, shortly thereafter, Fallon will be gone."
ButKimmel has hit back at the President via the caption on his Instagram post, in which he made a thinly-veiled reference to Trump’s alleged Epstein Letter, specifically alluding to the phrase “wonderful secret.” Check out Kimmel’s comment and the post below:
“I’m hearing you’re next. Or maybe it’s just another wonderful secret.”
What This Means For Kimmel’s Late-Night Future
The Comedian Clearly Doesn’t Fear Trump
Kimmel has been outspoken about politics and social issues, both on his show and off of it. His latest comments emphasize that he is not worried by Trump’s threats. Meanwhile, his subtle yet creative trolling shows the kind of comedian he is and that he can give as good as he gets.
Referencing the alleged Epstein letter without actually mentioning it is a subtly fun and nuanced piece of trolling from Kimmel. The issue is currently a hot topic, as conflicting reports about the alleged Epstein list continue to draw attention. Whether the President will respond is uncertain, but Trump also doesn’t usually waver in terms of engaging in these back-and-forths.
Our Take On The Kimmel vs. Trump Feud
Kimmel Could Face The Chop, But He Doesn’t Seem To Mind
Whether Trump is right, and Kimmel is next, remains to be seen. Admittedly, it is difficult to confirm if the President did influence the cancellation ofThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert. However, there are indications this is something Trump may have pushed for, so Kimmel could find himself in a similar situation.
Kimmel is a man not afraid to stick to his principles, and he continues to prove that. How long the feud with Trump will persist is unclear at this stage, butthings aren’t looking great for the future of late-night talk shows in America. If Kimmel and other hosts can get through this, there is the opportunity to rebuild and achieve greater long-term success.
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Cast
Jimmy Kimmel Live! premiered in 2003, with comedian JImmy Kimmel serving as host. The show opens with his commentary about the day’s events in his monologue, followed by comedy and political satire skits. Jimmy then interviews A-list celebrities and introduces popular musical guests.
