Jimmy Kimmel made headlines on Monday night as he announced his contract extension with Disney on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” However, amidst the celebration, Kimmel couldn’t resist taking a jab at President Donald Trump for his hosting duties at the Kennedy Center Honors.
The feud between Kimmel and Trump escalated when Trump called Kimmel a “horrible” TV host at a Saturday event related to the Kennedy Center Honors. Kimmel, never one to back down from a challenge, fired back during his monologue on Monday night.
“I thought we were friends. I’m starting to think he’s got a crush on me,” Kimmel joked, referencing Trump’s busy weekend schedule that included hosting the Kennedy Center Honors and attending the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw in D.C.
During his monologue, Kimmel couldn’t resist poking fun at Trump’s boasting about being the first president to host the Kennedy Center Honors. Kimmel quipped, “We’ve also never had Neil Patrick Harris order a military strike on a fishing boat before.”
In a surprising turn of events, Kimmel also announced that he has renewed his deal to host “Jimmy Kimmel Live” through May 2027. Addressing the audience at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, Kimmel joked, “I decided I would like to spend less time with my family, and so to our audience here and at home – I’m honored and humbled to be a part of your routine.”
Kimmel’s renewed deal with Disney was confirmed on Monday afternoon in an Instagram post where he humorously referred to himself as having “no talent.” This phrase is a favorite of Trump’s when criticizing late-night hosts who mock him on air.
The relationship between Kimmel and Trump has been rocky, with Trump frequently attacking Kimmel on social media platform Truth Social. Kimmel, in return, has not held back in his criticism of Trump, especially regarding his connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Despite the ongoing feud with Trump, Kimmel’s relationship with ABC has also faced challenges. In September, the network temporarily pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off the air after complaints from major TV station owners about Kimmel’s on-air comments about a conservative activist.
Overall, Kimmel’s contract extension with Disney and his continued success on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” demonstrate his enduring popularity and wit in the late-night talk show landscape.
