Jimmy Kimmel used his prestigious Oscars hosting platform to deliver a blistering response to Donald Trump's social media attacks, creating one of the most memorable moments in recent Academy Awards history.
Trump's Social Media Provocation
The confrontation began when the former president took to Truth Social during Sunday's ceremony, describing Kimmel's performance as a "disaster" and questioning his hosting abilities. Trump wrote: "Jimmy Kimmel is reading the reviews of his performance, the worst in the history of the Oscars, and trying to convince people that the opposite is true."
Kimmel's On-Air Clapback
In a stunning moment of live television, Kimmel addressed Trump directly from the Dolby Theatre stage. "I'm surprised you're still up - isn't it past your jail time?" the host quipped, receiving thunderous applause from the A-list audience.
Kimmel continued his takedown by reading Trump's entire post aloud to the celebrity crowd, adding: "Now, see if you can guess which former president just posted that on Truth Social? Anyone? No? Well, thank you, President Trump. Thank you for watching. I'm surprised you're still watching - isn't it past your jail time?"
Defending Family Honour
The late-night host took particular offence at Trump's previous derogatory comments about his wife, Molly McNearney. "He wrote that I was a terrible host, a washed-up TV star... but enough about him," Kimmel stated, before emotionally addressing the personal attacks.
"This guy once called my wife a 'horse face' in a tweet," Kimmel revealed. "First of all, that's not even accurate. If he's going to insult her, at least get it right. She's more of a 'sexy giraffe' than a 'horse face'."
Standing Up to Bullying
Kimmel emphasised the importance of not remaining silent in the face of such attacks. "I don't want to get into a back-and-forth with him, but when someone says something that vile about your family, you have to say something," he explained during the emotional segment.
The host's unexpected confrontation became one of the most talked-about moments of the night, trending across social media platforms and generating widespread discussion about the intersection of politics and entertainment.
Audience Reaction and Aftermath
Celebrities in attendance responded with enthusiastic applause and standing ovations, while viewers at home flooded social media with support for Kimmel's bold move. The moment highlighted the ongoing tension between Hollywood figures and political personalities, particularly in an election year.
Kimmel's handling of the situation demonstrated his ability to blend comedy with serious commentary, turning what could have been a distracting incident into a powerful statement about dignity, family values, and standing up to bullying behaviour.
