Jimmy Kimmel, the long-standing late-night host and vocal liberal, expressed his distress over President-elect Donald Trump’s surprising win on Tuesday night, calling it a “terrible night” for various groups in society. At 56, Kimmel struggled to hold back tears as he faced his audience, attempting to stay upbeat for viewers who nodded in agreement.
“Let’s be honest: it was a terrible night last night,” he began, “for women, for children, for the hardworking immigrants who keep this country going.” He paused, his voice wavering, as his audience tried to encourage him with applause. Kimmel continued, “It was a terrible night for healthcare, for our climate, for science, for journalism, for justice, for free speech. It was a bad night for poor people, the middle class, and seniors on Social Security. For our allies in Ukraine, NATO, our troops, democracy, and decency. And it was a terrible night for everyone who voted against him — and, guess what? It was a bad night for everyone who voted for him, you just don’t know it yet.”
His monologue captured a distinctly Hollywood perspective on the political landscape.
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From celebrities to comedians, many were left stunned by President Trump’s victory—not only for his increased support in communities of color but also his apparent win in the popular vote, a symbolic victory that Democrats have traditionally touted over Republican presidents who usually depend on the Electoral College to secure office. By Wednesday, the aftermath was evident, as Democrats openly and privately began assigning blame. Politico spoke with prominent figures within the party, like Jim Manley, former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s aide, who expressed regret about Biden’s candidacy, saying, “He shouldn’t have run. This is no time to pull punches or be concerned about anyone’s feelings. He and his staff have done an enormous amount of damage to this country.”
Soon, similar sentiments are likely to emerge from Hollywood, where longtime supporters of the Biden-Harris administration, including George Clooney, may begin voicing their frustrations over Biden’s decision to seek a second term. In June, Clooney joined entertainment industry leaders, like director Rob Reiner, in hosting a $30 million fundraiser for Biden. After the debate, both men publicly urged Biden to step aside, a suggestion he eventually heeded a month later. Clooney’s op-ed, calling on Biden to withdraw for the country’s sake, made waves.
“My friend George Clooney has clearly expressed what many of us have been saying. We love and respect Joe Biden. We acknowledge all he has done for our country. But Democracy is facing an existential threat. We need someone younger to fight back. Joe Biden must step aside,” Reiner echoed in a social media post soon after.
As for Kimmel, while he may have his concerns about the country’s future under Trump, he’ll likely benefit from the ratings surge that another four years of Trump-related humor will bring. In a recent segment, he quipped, asking Trump to “let him share a jail cell with Taylor Swift” after the inauguration.