Jimmy Kimmel Fires Back at Donald Trump Over ‘Empty Seats’ Remark, Mocks President’s Nobel Snub
Jimmy Kimmel mocked Donald Trump over empty rally seats, the White House fired back, and the comedian also ridiculed Katie Zacharia’s appointment and Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize snub
Donald Trump, (inset) Jimmy Kimmel
Jimmy Kimmel has responded to President Donald Trump’s latest criticism, turning the president’s remarks about sparsely attended rallies into fresh material for his late-night monologue.
On his October 12 show, the 58-year-old comedian addressed Trump calling him a “loser” during a recent rally in Clarksville, Tennessee. The president had also taken issue with Kimmel describing one of his events as “sparsely attended” and branded the television host “crooked.”
Introducing the footage, Kimmel told his audience, “You’ll never guess who got a shoutout,” before playing a clip of Trump’s rally remarks.
Kimmel questioned why his observation about the attendance at Trump’s events had attracted the president’s attention, given the other subjects he had discussed on his show.
“Of all the things I said about him last week, of all the many moronic and criminal words and deeds I detailed, that’s what bothers him?” Kimmel asked.
The comedian then doubled down on his earlier remarks about the crowds at Trump’s rallies.
“Me pointing out the fact that his rallies have empty seats? Well, in that case, let’s do it again: There were many empty seats at the rally. So many empty seats! There were even empty seats at the rally where he complained at me saying he had empty seats at the rally.”
White House Spokesperson Hits Back at Jimmy Kimmel
The White House also responded to the comedian’s remarks, with spokesperson Davis Ingle delivering a sharp assessment of Kimmel and his television show.
“Jimmy Kimmel is a no-talent loser who has beclowned himself with tanking ratings and by spewing disgusting lies to his dwindling audience. He is so devoid of actual talent that nobody with any commonsense would ever watch him unless it was to laugh at his miserable failures.”
Trump has repeatedly disputed media reports about empty seats at his campaign events. In an October 5 post on Truth Social, he argued that attendees at his sold-out rallies often move from the upper sections towards the main floor.
“what does happen at all of my SOLD OUT Rallies, is that the people in the upper sections tend to migrate down to the Main Floor.”
He followed that explanation with a categorical denial of any attendance problems, writing, “I never have empty seats — Never have, and never will!”
Kimmel subsequently challenged that explanation by comparing the situation to a professional basketball game.
“Isn’t it interesting that never happens at a Lakers game? People just moving up to the front.”
Trump has also criticised news organisations for reporting on unoccupied seats at his events. In another Truth Social post, he argued that outlets publishing such reports “should be arrested for their dishonesty and disservice to our Country.”
Jimmy Kimmel Mocks Katie Zacharia’s White House Appointment
Trump’s latest clash with Kimmel was not the only political subject covered during the comedian’s October 12 monologue. He also discussed Katie Zacharia, who is set to become the next White House press secretary.
Kimmel sarcastically described the qualifications of the person appointed to the position, initially telling his audience that she was a Harvard graduate with a master’s degree from Columbia Journalism School. He then revealed that the appointment had gone to a conservative commentator, using the contrast to deliver another joke about the selection.
“Katie met a number of qualifications for the job,” Kimmel said. “She has blonde hair. She can do a thumbs up. End of list. Really, what else do you need?”
The comedian’s remarks targeted the appointment as he continued to use his late-night platform to comment on developments surrounding the Trump administration.
Kimmel Jokes About Trump Missing Out on Nobel Peace Prize
Kimmel also turned his attention to Trump being passed over for the Nobel Peace Prize, making light of the president’s reaction to the perceived snub.
“The president took the perceived snub well. He only posted a 600-word tirade lashing out.”
The joke referenced Trump’s lengthy online response following the Nobel Peace Prize decision, adding another moment of political commentary to a monologue that focused on the president’s public statements, his dispute with the media and the White House’s criticism of the late-night host.