Jimmy Kimmel is once again proving why millions of Americans have stopped watching late-night television.
Instead of focusing on real comedy, the ABC host used the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon to take another swipe at President Donald Trump — a moment so petty and bitter that even longtime viewers said it felt like Kimmel was trying not to cry.
Kimmel Turns a Family-Friendly Tradition Into Another Anti-Trump Rant
The Thanksgiving turkey pardon has always been a lighthearted American tradition enjoyed by families of all ages. But this year, Kimmel took something simple and wholesome and twisted it into yet another political attack.
During his Tuesday show, Kimmel mocked the pardoned birds, Gobble and Waddle, and used the ceremony to insult Trump, claiming the President “gobbles and waddles” at dinner every night. Instead of laughter, the joke came off as mean-spirited — a pattern that has driven many viewers away from late-night TV altogether.
A Beautiful White House Moment — Until Kimmel Ruined It
Kimmel played a clip of Waddle being introduced inside the White House briefing room.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, holding her young son, warmly greeted the turkey and called him “a beautiful bird.” It was a genuine moment of joy and tradition, the kind of scene most Americans appreciate during the holiday season.
A representative from the National Turkey Federation then jokingly asked the turkey to “give us a gobble,” and Waddle happily obliged.
This should have been the end of it — a bit of harmless fun and a reminder of the White House’s long-standing Thanksgiving tradition.
But Kimmel Just Couldn’t Help Himself
Instead of letting viewers enjoy the clip, Kimmel immediately jumped back into spiteful commentary, sneering:
“See? Fascists have fun too.”
This cheap insult toward the Trump administration was so over-the-top that even media analysts called it “childish” and “pathetic.” Conservatives slammed the remark, noting that Kimmel seems incapable of experiencing a single moment of normalcy without injecting political hatred.
Conservative Watchdogs Fire Back
NewsBusters, a well-known conservative media watchdog, flagged Kimmel’s comments and criticized him for dragging a non-political White House tradition into his ongoing feud with Trump. Analysts pointed out that the turkey pardon was a fun, apolitical event — until Kimmel turned it into an attack piece.
It’s a pattern that has defined modern late-night TV: more politics, less comedy, and a constant obsession with attacking President Trump.
The Long-Running Feud: Trump vs. Hollywood Elites
Kimmel’s hostility toward Trump is nothing new. For years, he has used his platform on ABC to take shots at the President, often with ratings falling every time he ramps up the bitterness. Trump has openly criticized Kimmel in return, calling out the host’s declining viewership and lack of talent.
For many Americans — especially older, conservative viewers — Kimmel’s act has worn thin. What used to be comedy has become activism, and what used to bring families together now divides them.
Late-Night TV Has Changed — And Not For the Better
At a time when Americans want relief from political drama, Hollywood liberals seem committed to doubling down. Shows that once delivered laughs now push talking points. Instead of uniting the country with humor, hosts like Kimmel use their platform to insult millions of Americans who support President Trump.
The Thanksgiving turkey pardon should have been a moment of unity, tradition, and fun.
Instead, Kimmel’s bitterness turned it into a viral example of what’s gone wrong in today’s entertainment industry.
