On Tuesday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the comedian didn’t hold back when targeting Donald Trump after the president dropped a bizarre claim regarding Middle Eastern geography.
During a press event, Trump confidently stated that Iran and Qatar were so close that one could walk from one to the other. However, the reality is a bit different—these two nations are separated by the Persian Gulf, with a distance of around 119 miles at the nearest point across the waters. Kimmel couldn’t help but joke, “Unless you’re Jesus, you cannot walk there.” This remark came just after Trump was praised for negotiating a ceasefire in Gaza and ahead of his planned trip to Israel on October 12.
Newsweek has reached out to the White House for feedback on Trump’s surprising claims.
Why This Matters
Kimmel’s teasing continues a long-lasting, highly visible feud with President Trump. Fans of the show likely did a double-take, especially after Kimmel’s show was suspended following comments about the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last month.
Initially, ABC said Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be “off air indefinitely,” but it resumed airing just five days later on September 23. The fact that Kimmel keeps delivering sharp commentary during these challenging times shows the clash between entertainment and political discussions, revealing how significant late-night comedy has become in American culture.
Key Takeaways
When speaking with reporters on Air Force One, Trump insistently claimed that Iran and Qatar are “within walking distance,” while showering praise on Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, describing him as an “amazing man.” He even added with a chuckle, “There are other countries around, but they’re an hour or hour and a half away, big difference. You can literally walk over from Iran to Qatar. You go ‘boom boom’ and now you’re in Qatar. That’s tough territory.” This statement quickly caught fire online for all the wrong reasons.
Kimmel’s Witty Comeback
Kimmel seized on the opportunity to emphasize the ridiculousness of Trump’s assertion. He quipped, “You can perhaps swim 150 miles, but unless you’re Jesus, you cannot walk there.” He also poked fun at Trump’s penchant for dramatics, especially regarding his signing of the Gaza ceasefire document by jokingly saying, “Trump became the first president to sign a ceasefire agreement with a Sharpie the size of a subway sandwich.”
Kimmel further ridiculed Trump’s seemingly exaggerated claims of expertise in the Middle East and his habit of blowing up his own success in foreign affairs.
His Quick Comeback
Kimmel’s remarks come right after his brief suspension, marking a speedy return that has allowed him to continue critiquing Trump amidst ongoing tensions in late-night comedy and the presidency. This incident shows just how rapidly late-night shows can switch gears to comment on political happenings.
Trump hasn’t shied away from criticizing late-night comedians in the past. He once stated that, “[Stephen] Colbert has no talent. [Jimmy] Fallon has no talent. Kimmel has no talent.” Yet, Kimmel remains unfazed, using humor as a tool for scrutiny and entertainment, which plays a crucial role in the landscape of American political satire.
Public Reactions
Donald Trump: “You can literally walk over from Iran to Qatar. You go ‘boom boom’ and now you’re in Qatar. That’s tough territory.”
Jimmy Kimmel: “One can perhaps swim 150 miles, but unless you’re Jesus, you cannot walk there.”
Looking Ahead
Kimmel’s ongoing jokes exemplify the discussions around leadership, authenticity, and the function of humor in politics, all while raising questions about Trump’s potential responses to such critiques. Interestingly, he even hinted at considering his Italian citizenship if the political climate under Trump turns too turbulent.
