The Oscars host disclosed that he “a little bit of time” at the ceremony, which prompted him to improvise the moment. Jimmy Kimmel claims he received a type of directive prior to live-streaming one of Donald Trump’s social media posts at the 2024 Academy Awards.
The returning ceremony emcee read a message Trump shared with Truth Social near the conclusion of Sunday night’s 96th Academy Awards, in which he disparaged Kimmel’s hosting abilities. Kimmel disclosed in a Monday morning interview with Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa that he improvised the segment after being given extra time to do so during the program; however, he was ultimately instructed not to read the note aloud.
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“They said, ‘You have a moment,’ and I replied, ‘I’m reading the Trump tweet.’ They replied, ‘No, no, don’t read that.'” Kimmel responded with a chuckle, but did not specify who instructed him not to mention Trump’s note. “[I was like] ‘Yes, I am.’”
EW has initiated communication with the Academy and Kimmel representatives in an effort to obtain additional details.
Trump’s Criticism Towards Jimmy Kimmel
Kimmel’s comic skills and hosting prowess were disparaged by Trump in a post that also questioned whether there could be a “worse host” and urged the Oscars to “get rid of Kimmel” in favor of “another washed up, but cheap, ABC ‘talent,’ George Slopanopoulos [sic].”
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In response to Trump’s criticism, Kimmel praised the former president for attending while gazing directly into the camera on stage at the Dolby Theatre. “I’m surprised you’re still [up] — isn’t it past your jail time?” He made a joke that made the audience howl with laughter.
The Barbie song “I’m Just Ken,” which Ryan Gosling sang during the show, Emma Stone’s upset win for Best Actress, and Messi the Anatomy of a Fall dog urinating on Matt Damon’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star were among the other highlights.