Jimmy Kimmel Roasts Trump’s ‘Angry’ State of the Union Speech
Jimmy Kimmel didn’t wait for the official post-State of the Union analysis to begin. Immediately following President Trump’s lengthy address on Tuesday, the late-night host launched into a scathing critique, labeling the speech “angry” and “incoherent” during his monologue on ’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
According to reports, Kimmel was forced to begin taping his show while still awaiting the conclusion of the President’s address, which clocked in at roughly an hour and 48 minutes – breaking Trump’s own record for joint addresses to Congress. The extended length, Kimmel implied, was indicative of the speech’s rambling and disjointed nature.
Kimmel’s assessment didn’t shy away from pointed criticism. He characterized the speech’s central theme as portraying “all foreigners are murderers,” and took issue with Trump’s claim of having prevented “zero illegal aliens” from entering the United States, juxtaposing it with a remark about the openness to legal immigration for potential future spouses. This was just the opening salvo in a broader takedown of the President’s policy pronouncements.
The monologue continued with Kimmel highlighting what he perceived as particularly jarring contradictions within the address. He pointed to Trump’s boasts about ending Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and cutting 2 million people off food stamps, framing them as “like a Christmas message from the Grinch.” The host also drew attention to what he saw as a disturbing dissonance between Trump’s praise for a World War II veteran who liberated an internment camp and the current administration’s efforts to build new detention facilities within the United States.
Kimmel also questioned the veracity of Trump’s economic claims, specifically his assertion that gas prices had fallen to $1.85 a gallon. He playfully pondered whether a two-hour, largely incoherent address could even be classified as a speech, or if it had devolved into something else entirely – a “conniption,” as he put it.
However, the monologue took a more serious turn when Kimmel transitioned into what he termed “the real State of the Union.” He delivered a starkly different assessment of the nation’s condition, accusing the President of authoritarian tendencies and a disregard for democratic principles.
“We have a nut job wannabe king who’s doing everything he can to censor opinions he doesn’t want to hear,” Kimmel stated, leveling a direct accusation of censorship against the Trump administration. He went on to allege that the President’s “goons” were involved in the “arresting, incarcerating and killing American citizens,” a claim that, while not detailed further, represents a significant escalation in Kimmel’s criticism.
Kimmel further accused the administration of diverting funds from vital programs like cancer research and children’s hospitals while simultaneously enriching themselves and their families. He also raised concerns about attacks on voting rights, the protection of alleged pedophiles, and a general pattern of prioritizing the interests of billionaires over the needs of the sick, the poor, and the hungry.
Adding a layer of irony, Kimmel noted that these actions were being carried out “in the name of Jesus,” and pointed to the availability of a “Donald Trump edition of the God Bless the USA Bible” – manufactured in China and priced at $99.99 – as evidence of the administration’s hypocrisy.
Kimmel’s response comes after President Trump delivered his address to the nation, covering a wide range of topics including immigration, the economy, and military action. He also highlighted the achievements of the U.S. Men’s hockey team and introduced Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, as special guests. Trump repeatedly asserted that the nation was experiencing a “golden age.”
The reaction to Trump’s speech has been swift and varied, with other late-night hosts also offering their critiques. Rachel Maddow, for example, also weighed in on the address, offering her own analysis. Kimmel’s response, however, stands out for its particularly direct and scathing tone, and its shift from comedic commentary to a more serious indictment of the administration’s policies and actions.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” continues to air weeknights on ABC at .