Jimmy Kimmel Fires Back at White House Amid Ongoing Feud

Jimmy Kimmel has responded to renewed attacks from the White House on his late-night show’s ratings during his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!. This exchange continues the ongoing verbal feud between Kimmel and the Trump administration. After criticizing the president post-midterm elections, the White House highlighted Kimmel’s ratings as part of their attack. However, ABC shared different figures, highlighting that Kimmel’s show drew its largest audience in eight years, according to Nielsen data.

Kimmel’s Response to White House Attacks

In his opening monologue on Monday, Kimmel poked fun at Trump’s recent speech at the Kennedy Space Center aerospace expo, mispronouncing “genome” as “ganome,” humorously noting many mispronounce this word. Kimmel continued by reading the White House’s latest critique from spokesperson Davis Ingle, who accused him of having a severe case of “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” Kimmel jested about the immature nature of the insults and mentioned the youthfulness of his critics within the administration, reminding them that claiming he has a “peanut-sized brain” isn’t feasible.

Understanding the Ratings

Audience data shows a different aspect compared to the White House’s characterization. Jimmy Kimmel Live! averaged 2 million viewers in the 2025-2026 season, marking its best in eight years. Among adults aged 18 to 49, the show achieved a 0.18 rating, ranking it first among late-night shows, with its strongest demographic performance in four years. The new season started promisingly as well, topping late-night ratings with 2.29 million viewers and a 0.21 rating among those aged 18 to 49 during the week of September 21, 2026.

Kimmel vs. Trump: A High-Stakes Exchange

This latest sparring follows an earlier clash when Kimmel rebutted Trump’s comments post-midterms. Kimmel pointed out Trump’s undeniable influence in politics, likening him to dog hair that’s ubiquitous. He harshly criticized Trump’s divisive impact and urged him to “quit already.” The administration responded, belittling Kimmel’s talents and claiming low ratings. Kimmel retorted on air, jesting about spokesperson Ingle’s competence and timing in attacking his ratings amid political setbacks.

Ongoing Feud with Trump

The host’s sparmatches with Trump are a long-standing affair, with both frequently using public forums to criticize one another. Regularly targeting Trump’s tenure, policies, and public stunts, Kimmel has maintained pressure through his comedy. Trump, in response, often attacks Kimmel personally and his show’s viewership. Even during events like the 2024 Academy Awards, both engaged in real-time exchanges, with Kimmel returning Trump’s barbs live from the stage.