Jimmy Kimmel needs to get a life.
Late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel is once again inserting himself into national politics—this time by mocking President Donald Trump over the cognitive exams Trump has publicly discussed taking and passing.
During a recent episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, Kimmel claimed he took a cognitive test similar to the one President Trump has referenced, brushing it off as overly simple and making light of the process. The segment was framed as comedy, but critics say it came across as another attempt to diminish concerns many Americans take seriously.
President Trump has repeatedly stated that he voluntarily completed a formal cognitive examination and received a perfect score. He has cited the results as evidence of his mental sharpness and overall fitness to serve, particularly as questions about age and leadership ability dominated much of the 2024 election cycle.
Trump was 78 years old when he began his second term in January 2025, making transparency about health a central issue for voters. Rather than avoiding the topic, the president leaned into it—frequently noting that he welcomed testing and encouraged accountability at the highest levels of government.
That approach contrasts sharply with how Kimmel handled the subject. On his show, the comedian staged his own on-air “cognitive test,” completing tasks such as drawing shapes, recalling words, connecting letters and numbers, and naming items beginning with specific letters. The exercise was clearly intended for laughs, punctuated by jokes aimed directly at the president.
Kimmel also replayed footage of President Trump telling supporters he had taken multiple cognitive exams and passed them all. Rather than acknowledging the results, the host dismissed the claim with sarcasm—suggesting that taking more than one test was somehow a negative.
Last week, President Trump addressed the issue directly on Truth Social, stating that White House physicians found him in “perfect health” and confirmed he once again scored 100 percent on his cognitive evaluation. He reiterated his belief that anyone running for president or vice president should be required to undergo a serious, standardized cognitive assessment.
While there is currently no federal law mandating such testing, Trump has continued to argue that basic mental fitness requirements are a reasonable safeguard for the country.
For many Americans—especially older voters who prioritize experience, clarity, and leadership—Kimmel’s routine struck a nerve. Critics argue that instead of fostering thoughtful discussion, the segment relied on mockery and political division, reinforcing the perception that Hollywood elites dismiss concerns held by millions of everyday voters.
