In a scathing opening to his nightly show, Jimmy Kimmel launched a full-frontal assault on Donald Trump, following the former President's unprecedented criminal conviction. The late-night host, known for his sharp political commentary, seized on the verdict to deliver one of his most biting monologues to date.
The comedian wasted no time, immediately addressing the elephant in the room. "As you may have heard, yesterday in New York, Donald Trump became the first former US president to be convicted of a crime," Kimmel declared, setting the tone for what would become a relentless takedown.
Kimmel's commentary cut deep as he mocked Trump's reaction to the verdict. "He's going crazy! He's mad at everybody. He's mad at me, he's mad at you, he's mad at the judge... he's even mad at the jury," the host quipped, imitating Trump's characteristic outrage.
The monologue took aim at Trump's claims of a "rigged" trial, with Kimmel sarcastically noting: "The only person who had a bad day was the one who committed all the crimes." The audience erupted in applause as Kimmel dismantled Trump's narrative piece by piece.
Looking toward the election, Kimmel highlighted the surreal nature of the situation. "We're about to have an election between a convicted felon and a guy who's already won," he joked, referencing both Trump's new status and President Biden's existing incumbency.
The segment didn't shy away from the serious implications either. Kimmel pointedly remarked on how other politicians might distance themselves from a convicted figure, yet Trump's supporters appear to be doubling down—a phenomenon he treated with both humour and disbelief.
Kimmel saved his sharpest barbs for Trump's alleged attempts to leverage the conviction for financial gain, including selling branded Bibles. "Nothing says 'holiness' like hush money payments to a porn star," he deadpanned, bringing the house down with laughter.
The comprehensive takedown lasted several minutes, blending Kimmel's signature comedy with serious political commentary. It represented late-night television at its most potent—using humour to dissect one of the most remarkable political moments in recent American history.
As the 2024 election heats up, Kimmel's monologue signals that Trump's legal troubles will remain firmly in the spotlight, providing ample material for comedians while raising serious questions about accountability and the American political landscape.
