The Oscars 2024 saw significant industry records being set and broken. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the 96th Academy Awards concluded its three-hour spectacle at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 11 (India).
During the live broadcast, Kimmel couldn't resist poking fun at former President Donald Trump, reading aloud a social media post where Trump criticised him as this year's Oscars host.
Comedian Jimmy Kimmel, making his second consecutive appearance and fourth overall at the Oscars, light-heartedly poked fun at his own hosting experience. ‘Have there ever been worse hosts at the Academy Awards than Jimmy Kimmel?’ he quipped to the audience, eliciting laughter.
‘His opening was that of a less-than-average person trying too hard to be something which he is not and never can be. Get rid of Kimmel and perhaps replace him with another washed-up, but cheap, ABC ‘talent,’ George Slopanopoulos. He would make everybody on stage look bigger, stronger, and more glamorous,’ Kimmel said, choking back a laugh as he read several sentences from Donald Trump’s latest post about him.
The post didn’t stop there.
Trump continued, stating, ‘Also a really bad politically correct show tonight, and for years – Disjointed, boring, and very unfair.'
Reciting his MAGA tagline, he went on to say, 'Why don’t they just give the Oscars to those that deserve them? Maybe that way their audience and TV ratings will come back from the depths. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!’
The original post from the former president was shared on his Truth social media platform just an hour before Kimmel's hosting gig. Kimmel responded, saying, ‘Well, thank you, President Trump. Thank you for watching. I'm surprised you're still up — isn't it past your jail time?’
Kimmel's remark could be seen as a clapback, possibly alluding to Trump's ongoing legal battles.
For those unaware, both Trump and Kimmel have engaged in a long-standing exchange of jabs and shade over the years.
Rolling Stone previously reported that during his presidency in 2018, the former POTUS instructed his staff to file a complaint against Jimmy Kimmel to Disney, ABC's parent company, following a joke made by the comedian on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
In an interview with CNN before Kimmel's fourth hosting stint at the Academy Awards, Kimmel expressed that joking about Trump was ‘one of the best parts’ of his job. He commented, ‘Knowing that he hates being made fun of and making fun of him.’
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