After Years of Feuding, Jimmy Kimmel Says He’d Love to Host Donald Trump on Jimmy Kimmel Live! — “I’ll Ask Him”
Jimmy Kimmel surprised audiences this week when he said he’s open to having Donald Trump as a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! The late-night host made the unexpected comment while speaking at Bloomberg Screentime, a star-studded media event held at NYA Studios in Los Angeles. The conversation marked a rare moment of calm reflection in Kimmel’s long-running feud with the former president — a feud that’s lasted nearly a decade.
“I’d love to have Trump on the show, for sure,” Kimmel said with a grin. “All right, I’ll ask him.” The audience laughed, but Kimmel’s tone hinted at sincerity. For years, he has been one of late-night television’s most outspoken critics of Trump, using his platform to deliver some of the sharpest comedic jabs and political commentary on network TV.
Trump, of course, hasn’t held back either. The former president has publicly fired back at Kimmel on multiple occasions, calling him “terrible” and “unfunny,” while accusing the host of bias. Despite that, Kimmel’s recent remarks suggest a willingness to turn confrontation into conversation — or at least, entertainment.
The idea of Trump appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! feels surreal given their history. Trump hasn’t been on the show since 2016, when he was still a presidential candidate. Since then, the two men have taken turns exchanging insults through interviews and social media. Kimmel, in particular, has used his opening monologues to challenge Trump’s claims, policies, and behavior, often going viral in the process.
But at the Bloomberg Screentime event, Kimmel seemed more introspective than combative. He spoke candidly about the changing nature of late-night TV and the growing overlap between comedy and politics. “He’s given us a lot of material,” Kimmel said, referring to Trump’s constant media presence. “You can’t avoid it — when someone dominates the headlines every day, you talk about it.”
Kimmel’s comments also come at an interesting time in his career. Earlier this year, his show temporarily faced backlash after a controversial monologue referencing Trump and right-wing activists, leading ABC to briefly suspend production. Still, his return to the spotlight has shown that he remains one of late night’s most fearless voices.
Whether or not Trump would actually agree to appear on Kimmel’s show remains to be seen. While Trump has made frequent appearances on conservative platforms and podcasts, a sit-down on Jimmy Kimmel Live! would mark his first major interview on a network late-night show since leaving office. It would also undoubtedly draw massive ratings — and perhaps, a few tense moments.
For now, Kimmel’s offer seems as much about bridging divides as it is about entertainment. Inviting Trump onto his stage could be an opportunity for unfiltered dialogue — or simply a comedic showdown between two personalities who know how to command an audience.
Regardless of what happens next, the mere suggestion already has social media buzzing. “Kimmel and Trump on the same stage? That would be history,” one user wrote. Another added, “This is either the best or worst idea ever — and I’m watching either way.”
Kimmel’s openness to the idea, though delivered with humor, reflects his trademark balance of wit and candor. After years of jokes, jabs, and late-night monologues, perhaps he’s ready to turn the feud into a conversation — one that only Jimmy Kimmel Live! could pull off.
