Legendary late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel has reignited his feud with US President Donald Trump following a Nobel Peace Prize winner’s bold move.
Last February, 79-year-old Trump claimed that while he ‘deserved a Nobel Peace Prize’, the Norwegian Nobel Committee would ‘never’ hand it to him.
Despite heavily campaigning for the prestigious honour, he was passed over for María Corina Machado, 58, an industrial engineer and current Venezuelan opposition leader.
On Thursday (15 January), Machado presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal at the White House.
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The move came almost a fortnight after the father-of-five ordered the abduction of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, 63.
Taking to his social media site Truth Social after the event, the Republican wrote that he’d simply been presented the award for ‘the work [he has] done’.
“Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect,” Trump added.
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As reported by The Guardian, Machado said she’d handed over her medal ‘in recognition of [Trump’s] unique commitment’ to Venezuelan freedom.
Kimmel, 58, has now weighed in on the matter, claiming that ‘giving [Trump] an award seems like the only way to get him to do anything’.
“And with that said, Mr. President, I have an offer I think you’ll find difficult to refuse,” he continued during a recent Jimmy Kimmel Live! broadcast.
“If you, and only if, you agree to pull ICE out of Minneapolis and put them back at the borders where they belong, I am prepared to offer you one of the following trophies that I have been honoured with over the years.”
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The talk show veteran was seemingly referring to the increased presence of ICE agents in the city.
Reports include the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good and incidents with tear gas amid the administration’s immigration crackdown.
Kimmel followed up his statement by showing off his trophy cabinet, which included his Daytime Emmy for Best Game Show host in 1999, as well as a Clio, a Webby, and a Writers Guild Award.
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“Or,” he added. “Best of all, I’m willing to hand over my 2015 Soul Train Award for White Person of the Year.”
“The choice is yours,” Kimmel said. “I will personally deliver any or even all of these to the Oval Office in exchange for leaving the people of Minneapolis alone.”
White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung has responded to Kimmel's comments, writing on X: “Jimmy should hold on to those so he has something to pawn after his a** gets fired for being a no-talent loser with horrific ratings.”
The comedian’s latest quips come months after his show was briefly suspended following comments on the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
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The right-wing political activist was fatally shot while delivering a ‘Prove Me Wrong’ seminar at Utah Valley University on 10 September, with 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson later being charged with his murder.
Following Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s temporary cancellation, Trump said via Truth Social: “Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED. Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even [Stephen] Colbert, if that's possible.”
Pressure from celebrities such as Ben Stiller, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jennifer Aniston was applied, and Disney-owned ABC decided to reinstate the programme after less than a week.
The businessman was quick to criticise the company’s decision reversal.
“I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled! Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his 'talent' was never there,” he commented.
“Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE.”
Trump mused that perhaps he would take matters into his own hands, alluding to pursuing legal action against ABC.
“I think we’re going to test ABC out on this. Let’s see how we do. Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 Million Dollars. This one sounds even more lucrative. A true bunch of losers! Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings,” he added.
Topics: Donald Trump, Entertainment, Jimmy Kimmel, Politics, TV And Film, US News, Celebrity
Ella Scott