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Jimmy Kimmel took a pointed jab at Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after the health official boasted about Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show being canceled.
The well-known late-night host responded on Instagram following RFK Jr.’s post on X, where he mocked Colbert and labeled him a “comedian” who “made himself a priest.” The 72-year-old shared a video featuring a Lego figure caricaturing Colbert, accompanied by a lengthy commentary.
RFK wrote alongside the clip: “Superb dissection of the shocking collapse of liberal comedy. This is the best explanation of how we’ve reached the nadir where Late Night host Jimmy Kimmel can say ‘It’s not my job to be funny.’ As this author shows, he was hired as a comedian but he made himself a priest.”
Kimmel, 58, quickly fired back with a screenshot of the post, correcting the spelling mistake and adding, “It’s ‘nadir’ dummy. Now get back to spreading polio.”
His followers eagerly weighed in, with one commenting, “Your government and the orange guy are solely responsible for reaching the nadir. Our European hearts go out to the good Americans who are suffering from this idiocracy.”
Others chimed in, including one who said, “Shocking collapse of liberal comedy = curated rise of mediocre MAGA content,” while another praised late-night comedians for standing strong against fascism despite personal and professional risks.
Several observers criticized RFK Jr. for focusing on late-night TV when pressing issues like healthcare remain unresolved, highlighting the disconnect between political leadership and everyday American concerns.
Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show aired its final episode last week after CBS canceled the program last summer. While network executives cited financial reasons for the cancellation, many believe the move aimed to appease former President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly celebrated the show’s end.
This latest exchange underscores the ongoing cultural and political battles playing out in the world of late-night television and beyond.