Jimmy Kimmel revealed he was told not to read a disparaging post by Donald Trump during Sunday night’s Oscars broadcast.
During an appearance on “Live with Kelly and Mark” Monday, the comedian shared that he was told he had some extra time to play with during the show but was asked not to read the note on air.
“They’re like, ‘You’ve got a little bit of time’ and I was like, ‘I’m reading the Trump tweet,’ and they’re like, ‘No, no, don’t read that,'” Kimmel said with a laugh, though he didn’t share who told him not to bring up Trump’s noxious note. “[I was like] ‘Yes, I am.’”
The seasoned Oscars host did end up reading aloud the Truth Social post that the reputed Republican Presidential nominee posted during the show.
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“Has there EVER been a WORSE HOST than Jimmy Kimmel at The Oscars,” the former reality star and potential felon wrote. “His opening was that of a less than average person trying too hard to be something which he is not, and never can be.”
The former steak salesman then suggested that Kimmel be replaced by “another washed up, but cheap, ABC ‘talent,’ George Slopanopoulos,” referring to “GMA” co-host, George Stephanopoulos. “He would make everybody on stage look bigger, stronger, and more glamorous.”
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Trump, 77, added that the show was “disjointed, boring and very unfair.”
“Why don’t they just give the Oscars to those that deserve them,” he continued, without referencing who might be deserving of an Oscar. “Maybe that way their audience and TV ratings will come back from the depths. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Kimmel replied with a zinger of his own.
“I’m surprised you’re still [up]. Isn’t it past your jail time?” he asked, referring to the dozens of felonies Trump is facing.
The thrice-married politician wasn’t the only target of Kimmel’s comedy bit during the awards show.
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Oscar fans were divided on whether actress Emma Stone, 35 muttered “pr–k” to her husband Dave McClary after hearing Kimmel’s joke about her movie “Poor Things.”
After clips from Stone’s nominated film unspooled on the big screen, he cracked, “Those were all the parts of ‘Poor Things’ that we’re allowed to show on TV,” referencing the R-rated film’s many racy scenes.
Stone then leaned and muttered something to McClary, but what she said was unclear.
Kimmel also poked fun at Oscar nominee Robert Downey Jr’s former drug addiction during his opening monologue.
“This is the highest point of Robert Downey Jr.’s long and illustrious career — well, one of the highest points,” the evening’s host quipped as the camera panned to the “Oppenheimer” star.
The actor, 58, then tapped on his nose twice, perhaps in reference to his past cocaine addiction, to which Kimmel responded, “Too on the nose? Or is that a drug motion you made?”
The “Chaplin” star then made a rolling motion with his hands implying Kimmel should move it along.
