Key Facts
- ✓ Jimmy Kimmel returned to 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' on Monday after a winter break.
- ✓ Kimmel discussed Donald Trump hosting the Kennedy Center Honors.
- ✓ The monologue focused on the low ratings of the honors broadcast.
- ✓ Kimmel referenced a past statement by Trump about stepping down if ratings were low.
Quick Summary
Jimmy Kimmel returned to late-night television on Monday following his winter break. His return coincided with the first new episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2026.
During his opening monologue, Kimmel turned his attention to Donald Trump. The host specifically addressed Trump's recent duties as the emcee for the Kennedy Center Honors.
Kimmel focused on the viewership statistics for the ceremony. He highlighted that the broadcast achieved the lowest ratings in the event's history.
The comedian also recalled a specific promise Trump had allegedly made. Kimmel reminded the audience that Trump had stated he would step down from a position if such low ratings ever occurred.
Kimmel Returns with Political Focus
Jimmy Kimmel resumed his hosting duties on Monday night. The return followed a scheduled winter hiatus for the late-night program.
At the start of the broadcast, Kimmel addressed the audience. He immediately pivoted to a topic that dominated the holiday break: the Kennedy Center Honors.
The host noted that Donald Trump had served as the master of ceremonies for the event. This detail served as the setup for Kimmel's primary critique regarding the ceremony's performance.
Kimmel's monologue is a traditional segment of the show. It typically covers current events and pop culture through a comedic lens. In this instance, the focus remained firmly on the intersection of entertainment and politics.
"You know he hosted an awards show over the break."
— Jimmy Kimmel, Host
The Ratings Controversy 📉
The core of Kimmel's commentary revolved around viewership data. He specifically cited the ratings for the Kennedy Center Honors telecast.
According to the discussion, the broadcast posted historically low numbers. Kimmel characterized these figures as the 'lowest rated' telecast for the honors in its history.
This metric became the central point of the monologue. The low viewership provided the comedic material for the host's critique of the event's organizer and host.
The comparison to previous years' ratings underscored the drop. It allowed the monologue to frame the event as a ratings failure under the specific hosting of Donald Trump.
Trump's Alleged Promise
Jimmy Kimmel did not just critique the ratings; he contextualized them with a past statement. He recalled a specific claim made by Donald Trump.
Kimmel stated that Trump had previously promised to step down. The condition for this resignation was tied directly to the success of the Kennedy Center Honors broadcast.
According to Kimmel, Trump said he would vacate his position if the show's ratings fell to a specific low point. Kimmel used the current low ratings to suggest that this condition had been met.
The monologue juxtaposed the actual ratings with this alleged promise. This created the punchline for the segment, implying a contradiction between Trump's past words and the current reality.
Late-Night Commentary Landscape
The segment on Donald Trump and the Kennedy Center Honors fits into a broader tradition. Jimmy Kimmel Live! frequently engages with political figures.
Monday's episode marked the first show of the new year. It set the tone for the program's coverage of current events moving forward.
By addressing the ratings immediately upon his return, Kimmel signaled that the event remained relevant. The monologue served as a recap for viewers who may have missed the news during the holiday season.
The interaction highlights the ongoing relationship between late-night comedy and political news. Hosts often use such events to critique public figures through humor and satire.
