Additional Coverage:
- Jimmy Kimmel slammed for joking Rudy Giuliani ‘rose from the grave’ before hospital dash (themirror.com)
Jimmy Kimmel is once again facing criticism after making a joke about Rudy Giuliani “rising from the grave” just days before the former New York City mayor was hospitalized.
Giuliani, 81, was taken to the hospital shortly after filming an episode of his online show, America’s Mayor Live, where he appeared visibly unwell. His representatives confirmed that he was admitted on Sunday, May 3, and assured that he remains in stable condition.
The reason for his hospitalization has not been disclosed. This recent episode comes only months after Giuliani suffered a severe car accident last August, which resulted in a broken vertebra.
In the days leading up to Giuliani’s hospitalization, Kimmel addressed backlash over a previous joke about Melania Trump, in which he quipped that she had “a glow like an expectant widow.” The comment sparked outrage among MAGA supporters, with former President Donald Trump condemning it as a “despicable call to violence” and calling for Kimmel’s immediate firing.
During his April 28 monologue, Kimmel responded to the controversy by joking about Giuliani. “So last night, America’s mayor, Rudy Giuliani, rose from the grave to weigh in on the ongoing drama involving me,” he said. The comedian then took aim at Giuliani’s condition, asking, “Does this man have any family members who can come get him already?”
Kimmel didn’t stop there. He aired a clip from Giuliani’s podcast, where the ex-mayor labeled Kimmel “one of the most distasteful human beings in this country.” The audience booed the remark, prompting Kimmel to fire back, “It hurts to be called distasteful by a man who farted his own pants off in front of Borat’s daughter.”
The back-and-forth continued as Kimmel shared more of Giuliani’s rant, including criticisms of Kimmel’s comedy and hosting abilities. Kimmel, known for his sharp wit, dismissed these remarks by highlighting some of Giuliani’s own public mishaps, joking about a press conference held outside an adult store and the infamous “squid ink” hair incident.
Following news of Giuliani’s hospitalization, many took to social media to criticize Kimmel for his jokes about the former mayor. Some accused him of repeatedly making light of death, while others called his comedy “disgusting” and demanded he be fired.
As the exchange between Kimmel and Giuliani unfolds, it highlights the ongoing tensions between late-night comedians and political figures, with humor often sparking both laughs and controversy.