Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump didn’t hold back his thoughts on Thursday, especially when it came to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s potential retirement plans. Trump, often a target of Kimmel’s jokes, didn’t mince words, labeling Kimmel a “loser” and suggesting ABC would fare better without him.
Kimmel, who has been the face of Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003, hinted at the possibility of retiring in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. The 56-year-old expressed uncertainty, stating, “I think this is my final contract,” although he acknowledged the skepticism surrounding his previous statements about retiring.
With a little over two years remaining on his contract, Kimmel admitted that the idea of stepping down feels plausible enough. His decision comes after years of delivering biting monologues that often target Trump and his family, including a recent back-and-forth regarding Trump’s social media venture, Truth Social.
Reacting to Kimmel’s contemplation of retirement, Trump took to his favored platform, where he didn’t hesitate to criticize. He suggested that ABC could find a more talented replacement for Kimmel at a fraction of the cost, citing potential improvements in ratings.
This isn’t the first time Trump has lashed out at late-night hosts. In a previous post from January, he derided the hosts as “untalented fools” while lamenting the decline in ratings. Kimmel, however, was quick to respond to Trump’s latest remarks on his show, humorously acknowledging the attention from “America’s most famous tangerine.”
In his retort, Kimmel seized the opportunity to savor the moment, poking fun at Trump’s potential legal troubles and suggesting that he relish the spotlight while he can. Despite the exchange, Kimmel remains focused on his upcoming gig as the host of the Academy Awards in March, marking his fourth time leading the prestigious event, as per The Daily Beast.
As the longest-serving late-night host in the U.S., Kimmel’s departure would undoubtedly mark the end of an era. Yet, with his sights set on new endeavors and Trump’s criticisms notwithstanding, Kimmel seems poised to make the most of his remaining time on the airwaves, continuing to entertain audiences with his unique brand of humor.
