He emphasized how surreal it still feels, years after Trump’s presidency. “I hope we don’t ever have another president like this again,” he said, noting that even in the most cynical scenarios, he never imagined a leader who would actively cheer for Americans to lose their jobs.

Kimmel’s comments were sparked by Trump’s public reaction to recent layoffs at major media outlets, including networks critical of him. “The president of our country celebrating hundreds of Americans losing their jobs?” he asked incredulously. “Somebody who took pleasure in that?”

To Kimmel, that kind of response is the opposite of what leadership should look like. “That to me is the absolute opposite of what a leader of this country is supposed to be,” he stated, condemning the apparent lack of empathy and dignity.

His remarks resonated with many viewers who saw in them not just a comedian’s outrage, but a deeper concern for the tone and direction of American leadership. While Kimmel often blends humor with politics, this moment was one of raw seriousness—marked by disbelief that such behavior ever became normalized in U.S. politics.

JIMMY KIMMEL: THAT SON OF A BITCH, I HOPE WE NEVER HAVE A PRESIDENT LIKE THIS AGAIN

Jimmy Kimmel: I mean, that son of a bitch, you know, it’s really unbelievable.

Colbert: Mr. Son of a Bitch.

Jimmy Kimmel: I mean, I mean, Mr. Son of a Bitch.

Colbert: His loyal…

Jimmy Kimmel: Yes, no, I never imagined that we’d ever have a president like this, and I hope we don’t ever have another president like this again. I mean, I never imagined—I never even imagined there would ever be a situation in which the president of our country was celebrating hundreds of Americans losing their jobs, somebody who took pleasure in that. That to me is the absolute opposite of what a leader of this country is supposed to be.