Late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel has launched a blistering counter-attack against former US President Donald Trump, branding him a "lunatic" in a fiery monologue on his ABC show. The clash erupted after Trump unleashed a bizarre, late-night social media tirade targeting the comedian.
The extraordinary on-air rebuttal came in response to a Truth Social post by Trump, who bizarrely claimed Kimmel was "sacked" from his own show and was "worse than CNN". The former president's rant, which aired in the early hours of the morning, appeared to be triggered by Kimmel's hosting of the recent Oscars ceremony.
"Apparently, I've been fired," Kimmel deadpanned to his audience. "He posted this at, like, 1am… Does that sound like a guy who has a lot of friends? Who's happy with his life?"
Kimmel didn't hold back in his response, highlighting the absurdity of the attack from a man who once held the highest office in America. "The former president of the United States, the man who wants to be president again, is up at 1am tweeting that I'm a worse broadcaster than CNN," he quipped.
The host also took aim at Trump's mental state, suggesting the outburst was evidence of instability. "This is what he does—he just lies about stuff. He's a lunatic," Kimmel stated bluntly, drawing applause from his studio audience.
This isn't the first time the two public figures have clashed. Kimmel has been a consistent critic of Trump throughout his presidency and beyond, using his platform to skewer the former reality TV star's policies and behaviour.
The very public spat underscores the continued cultural and political divisions in America, with entertainment figures increasingly drawn into political battles. Kimmel's response demonstrates how late-night comedy shows have evolved into platforms for political commentary and resistance.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, such clashes between entertainment personalities and political figures are likely to become increasingly common, reflecting the blurred lines between show business and politics in modern America.
