In what can only be described as a spectacular backfire, Jimmy Kimmel's attempt to mock Donald Trump during the prestigious Academy Awards ceremony left the host red-faced when viewers delivered an unexpected verdict.
The On-Air Provocation
During Sunday night's Oscars broadcast, Kimmel took a direct swipe at the former US president by reading aloud one of Trump's social media posts. The post had criticised Kimmel's hosting performance, calling it "subpar" and suggesting the event lacked star power.
Rather than ignoring the criticism, Kimmel decided to engage, telling the star-studded audience: "See if you can find your favourite president? We'll see if he becomes the 47th."
The Poll That Backfired
The late-night host then launched a real-time poll on social media platform X, asking users: "Who had a better night? You, or me?"
To Kimmel's apparent astonishment, the results overwhelmingly favoured Trump, with approximately 70% of respondents siding with the former president against just 30% for the host.
Kimmel's Damage Control
Visibly taken aback by the public's response, Kimmel attempted to dismiss the results, suggesting his supporters were "probably busy getting Oscar nominations."
The awkward moment highlighted the continuing division in American politics, demonstrating that even during Hollywood's most glamorous night, political tensions remain close to the surface.
A History of Political Sparring
This isn't the first time Kimmel has used his platform to target Trump. The host has built a reputation for his political commentary, particularly during his late-night show where he frequently criticises Republican figures.
However, Sunday's incident serves as a stark reminder that public opinion doesn't always follow expected patterns, even among entertainment audiences.
The exchange has since gone viral across social media platforms, with commentators divided over whether Kimmel's stunt was clever comedy or an embarrassing miscalculation.
