Jimmy Kimmel Claps Back at Trump's Oscars Criticism With Sharp Retort
During the 96th Academy Awards ceremony, host Jimmy Kimmel engaged in a humorous exchange involving former US President Donald Trump. Kimmel read a critical post from Trump's Truth Social platform aloud to the audience. The post had described Kimmel as a "less than average person trying too hard to be something he is not." Kimmel responded on stage with a quip thanking Trump for his viewership and alluded to Trump's legal troubles by asking if it was past his "jail time."
The incident became a notable moment during the ceremony, with Kimmel also making light of his own hosting abilities and even joking about other celebrities, including Robert Downey Jr. The Oscars, however, maintained a largely non-political tone, with many attendees showing their support for a ceasefire in Gaza by wearing red pins. Protests related to the conflict in Gaza also took place outside the event.
This marked Kimmel's fourth stint as the host of the Oscars, a role he has become known for alongside his long-running late-night talk show, "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" His handling of the criticism from Trump and the resulting banter at the Oscars garnered mixed reactions on social media, with some users expressing amusement and others voicing disapproval. Despite the controversy, the evening included several memorable moments beyond the host's interaction with political figures.
