What a way to come back to work. Jimmy Kimmel, the late-night host known for his sharp wit, returned to his show with a monologue that zeroed in on former President Donald Trump and his ongoing legal troubles.
“I was in New York last week, uh, supporting my friend Donald Trump,” Kimmel began sarcastically. “You know, he’s this poor guy. It’s like you can’t have an affair with a porn star and give her campaign money to shut her up anymore. It’s not fair at all.”
Kimmel dove straight into the scandal involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an affair with Trump years ago. Back in 2016, in the lead-up to the presidential election, Trump’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, arranged payments totaling $130,000 to Daniels and $150,000 to Karen McDougal, another woman alleging an affair with Trump. These payments were made to prevent them from speaking publicly, which could have potentially damaged Trump’s campaign.
The criminal trial, “The People vs. Donald J. Trump,” is nearing its conclusion. Prosecutors wrapped up their case, and the defense is expected to rest soon. Kimmel’s biting sarcasm highlighted the absurdity of using campaign funds to silence scandalous claims.
President Trump has maintained that he paid Daniels to stop her from spreading lies about him ahead of the 2016 election. However, Kimmel’s joke cut to the heart of the scandal by pointing out the audacity of trying to cover it up with campaign money.
But Kimmel didn’t stop there. He continued to mock Trump and his legal team. “I don’t think a defense has ever been more well-rested than this one. Rip Van Winkle fell asleep in court again today,” he quipped, referencing a report that Trump appeared to nod off during the trial. This jab underscored how disengaged Trump seemed from the proceedings.
Kimmel also poked fun at Trump’s lawyers. “The judge had to clear the courtroom because the defense’s witness, a lawyer named Robert Costello, kept rolling his eyes at the judge and tried to stare him down,” Kimmel said, painting a picture of a chaotic and unprofessional courtroom.
Kimmel then took aim at Michael Cohen’s testimony, where Cohen described how Trump used him as his “personal porno Venmo.” Cohen testified that one of his duties was to consult on Melania Trump’s Madame Tussauds wax figure negotiation. Kimmel joked about the intricacies of ensuring the wax figure’s likeness, especially Melania’s signature scowl.
Trump’s notorious habit of not paying his bills also came under fire. Kimmel highlighted numerous reports of Trump stiffing contractors and workers, despite his claims of being a champion of the working class. This irony was not lost on Kimmel’s audience.
In a hilarious segment, Kimmel discussed Trump’s bizarre demands for upcoming debates with Joe Biden. Trump had suggested a drug test for Biden, an unfounded and wild claim. Kimmel mocked the absurdity of the accusation, questioning if drugs could somehow make someone a better debater.
Kimmel didn’t spare Rudy Giuliani either, reminding everyone of Giuliani’s ongoing legal troubles and infamous press conference outside a store selling adult toys. “This has to be the second most embarrassing thing that ever happened to Rudy Giuliani,” Kimmel joked, alluding to Giuliani’s fall from grace.
Kimmel’s monologue was a scathing commentary on Trump’s legal woes, filled with sharp humor and biting observations. It showcased Kimmel’s ability to turn current events into comedic gold while highlighting the ongoing absurdities in Trump’s legal battles.
