Jimmy Kimmel Fires Back at Trump with “I’ll Go When You Go” On-Air Retort

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel delivered a sharp on-air rebuttal to former President Donald Trump. The response came hours after Trump attacked Kimmel on his Truth Social platform. Trump questioned why ABC continues to employ the “low-rated” host. The public spat marks the latest chapter in their long-running feud.

The conflict ignited when Trump posted online late Thursday. He called Kimmel a “man with no talent” and demanded ABC remove him. Kimmel addressed the attack directly on his show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”. He mocked Trump’s own television ratings and political approval numbers.

Kimmel Mocks Trump’s Ratings in Televised Clapback

Jimmy Kimmel dedicated a segment of his show to Trump’s social media post. He noted the timing of the attack, just minutes after his East Coast broadcast ended. “Thank you, President Trump,” Kimmel said. “It’s viewers like you who keep us on the air, ironically.”

He quickly turned the criticism back on the former president. Kimmel suggested Trump is an authority on poor performance. “If anyone knows about bad ratings, it’s that guy,” he told his audience. According to ABC News, the show continues to hold a strong position in its time slot.

The host also referenced the ongoing controversy surrounding the Epstein files. He called it “sweet” that Trump would focus on a late-night show amid major news. This exchange is not their first public disagreement. The tension has been simmering for months.

History of Tension Between Host and Former President

This incident is part of a broader pattern of conflict. Earlier this year, ABC briefly suspended Kimmel for comments about a political commentator. Trump publicly celebrated that temporary suspension at the time. He congratulated the network for taking action.

Kimmel returned to air within a week. His fellow late-night hosts welcomed him back. The recent attack suggests the animosity remains fresh. Kimmel directly referenced the previous attempt to get him fired during his monologue.

“You tried to get me fired in September. It didn’t work,” he stated firmly. He acknowledged Trump’s persistence but stood his ground. Kimmel concluded with his now-viral ultimatum, tying his fate to Trump’s political future.

The public exchange underscores the ongoing cultural and political divisions playing out in media. Kimmel’s defiant “I’ll go when you go” response signals he has no intention of backing down. This feud shows how late-night television remains a key battleground for political commentary.

Thought you’d like to know

What did Trump originally say about Jimmy Kimmel?

Trump posted on Truth Social calling Kimmel a “man with no talent.” He questioned ABC’s decision to keep him on air and used the phrase “get the bum off the air.” The post criticized Kimmel’s ratings and alleged biased coverage.

How did Jimmy Kimmel respond on his show?

Kimmel thanked Trump for watching his show live. He quipped that Trump is an expert on bad ratings. His most memorable line was the retort, “I’ll go when you go,” linking his television career to Trump’s political journey.

Have Trump and Kimmel feuded before?

Yes, this is not their first public disagreement. Trump previously celebrated a brief suspension Kimmel received from ABC in September. The ongoing tension has been a recurring topic on Kimmel’s late-night program for months.

What did Kimmel mean by “the Suntan Kid”?

This was a deliberate and humorous misstatement. Kimmel twisted the title “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” replacing “Sundance” with “Suntan.” The joke was a clear reference to Trump’s famously orange complexion.

Why did Kimmel tell Trump to “quiet, Piggy”?

Kimmel borrowed the phrase directly from Trump himself. The former president used those words to dismiss a Bloomberg reporter on Air Force One. Kimmel repurposed the insult as a closing jab in his monologue.