Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel mocked his ongoing clashes with President Donald Trump during a Disney advertising presentation, joking that the controversy surrounding him has cost ABC and parent company Disney “billions” of dollars.
Kimmel made the remarks during his annual stand-up appearance at the Disney Upfronts on May 12, where television networks pitch programming to advertisers ahead of the upcoming broadcast season.
“I cost our company a lot of money this year, billions,” Kimmel joked during the event. “It is very possible that no employee in the history of any company has cost their employer more than hiring me 24 years ago.”
The comedian compared himself to the infamous Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster in another punchline aimed at his critics.
“Just from a purely mathematical standpoint, I was the worst personnel decision that the Disney Corporation ever made,” he said. “Not even the captain of the Exxon Valdez did more damage.”
Kimmel Continues Mocking Trump Amid Ongoing Tensions
Kimmel’s comments come amid escalating tensions between the comedian and the Trump administration.
The ABC host has repeatedly criticized Trump and members of his administration on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” while Trump has frequently attacked Kimmel publicly, calling for networks to take action against late-night hosts he accuses of political bias.
Their feud intensified in recent months after Trump and First Lady Melania Trump criticized Kimmel over jokes made during a parody skit connected to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
The late-night host referenced those battles during the Disney presentation, joking that political controversy has actually boosted ratings for his show.
“Largely thanks to our partners in Washington, we are up 25% in viewers aged 18 to 49,” Kimmel said, referring to the highly valuable advertising demographic.
While celebrating the ratings increase, Kimmel also mocked the state of modern late-night television.
“It’s a big deal for your numbers to go up nowadays,” he said. “But if Johnny Carson woke up with my ratings, he’d have gone straight under the sink and chugged all the Drano he found there.”
Comedian Jokes About Financial Troubles and TV Industry Struggles
During the presentation, Kimmel brought his longtime sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez into the audience carrying a collection basket, jokingly asking advertisers for donations.
According to reports from the event, Rodriguez collected just $7 and a tennis ball from attendees.
Kimmel also turned his attention toward rival television networks and the broader struggles facing late-night television and broadcast media.
He joked about CBS replacing Stephen Colbert’s canceled “Late Show” with reruns of “Comics Unleashed” hosted by Byron Allen.
“Poor Stephen,” Kimmel said. “It’s bad enough to lose your job. Imagine getting replaced by the owner of the Weather Channel.”
The comedian also poked fun at upcoming television projects, including CBS’ planned “Einstein” crime drama and another installment in the “NCIS” franchise starring LL Cool J.
Late-Night TV Faces Growing Political Pressure
Kimmel’s remarks highlighted the increasingly political environment surrounding late-night television.
Trump has frequently accused late-night hosts of unfairly targeting conservatives, while some administration allies have suggested broadcast networks should face greater scrutiny from federal regulators.
Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr has previously discussed reviewing how broadcasters handle political content, sparking concerns among critics about political pressure on television networks.
Kimmel has become one of Trump’s most outspoken late-night critics alongside comedians such as Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers.
At the same time, the political spotlight has helped drive attention and viewership toward some late-night programs, even as traditional television ratings continue declining industry-wide.
Kimmel acknowledged the difficult landscape for television networks during his speech.
“Now we’re like a bunch of dirty, starving chihuahuas under the table waiting for a chicken leg to drop,” he joked. “For the first time, I’m rooting for CBS.”
ABC and Disney Have Not Responded
Neither ABC nor Disney publicly commented on Kimmel’s remarks following the presentation.
Despite the controversies surrounding the host, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” remains one of ABC’s flagship late-night programs and continues drawing attention for its sharp political commentary and celebrity interviews.
The comedian’s latest remarks are likely to further inflame tensions with Trump and his supporters as the ongoing battle between the president and late-night television continues dominating headlines.
Featured image from facebook: Jimmy Kimmel