With the White House Correspondents’ Dinner arriving this weekend, Jimmy Kimmel decided to run an “alternative” version of the event on his own show — complete with a blistering mock speech aimed squarely at the Trump administration.
The late-night host — who previously fronted the dinner back in 2012 — used Thursday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! to stage a faux ceremony that took shots at Donald Trump, Melania Trump, JD Vance, Stephen Miller, and others.
The real Correspondents’ Dinner is usually anchored by a comedian who roasts the President, the press, and the political establishment. This year, however, the format is different, with Trump opting for mentalist Oz Pearlman instead of a traditional comic.
Although non-comedians have filled the role in rare cases across past administrations, Kimmel suggested there was a more specific reason for the choice this time around — and he didn’t hold back while explaining it.
“At the Correspondents’ Dinner, typically someone funny shows up and roasts the luminaries and the president and everyone,” he said, “but our president is a delicate snowflake with the thinnest fat skin of any human being ever, and that means there’s gonna be no comedian this year.”
He continued, “So I thought why not take a page from the Kid Rock alternative halftime show and do some of the jokes a comedian might do if our president wasn’t a trembling drama queen who’s scared of comedy.”
The segment then shifted to Kimmel standing at a podium, delivering a sample of what his speech might have sounded like if he were hosting the big night.
“Welcome to the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner,” he began. “Look at you, all dressed up in formal wear, dresses, tuxedos. I haven’t seen this much black since every page of the Trump-Epstein Files.”
Kimmel quickly moved on to a direct jab at Trump, adding: “I’m happy you decided to stay, Mr. President,” he said, “And don’t worry if we bruise your ego — it will only make your hands look less disgusting.”
He also referenced the widely discussed AI-generated Jesus image, joking: “By the way, in the unfortunate event that our president has a medical emergency tonight, do we have a doctor in the — I mean, I’m sorry. Do we have a Jesus in the house? I always confuse them, too.”
From there, he sarcastically “commended” the President’s second-term output, saying: “He passed new incentives for oil and gas. He put the brakes on solar and wind,” he said. “That will be your legacy, sir: breaking wind and passing gas.”
But Trump wasn’t the only target — Kimmel also aimed his barbs at the First Lady.
After describing her as having a ‘glow like an expectant widow’, he brought up her Amazon documentary with the line: “I want to congratulate you, Madam First Lady, on your huge accomplishment: the world’s first motionless picture.”
The routine then broadened to include more figures from the administration — including JD Vance and Stephen Miller — before finishing with a faux “honour” reserved for Trump.
“We are the hottest country in the world right now and that’s all because of you, sir,” he said. “You truly are the GOAT… and a monkey, and a pig.”
He then revealed a large gold trophy as part of the bit. “You made America great again, and you’ve made comedy great again,” he said. “And that’s why I’m very proud to announce: The winner of the inaugural Burger King of Comedy Gold Award goes to none other than our president, Donald Jay Leno Trump.”
“Congratulations, sir,” he added, “and thank you!”