Late night television host Jimmy Kimmel returned to the airwaves Monday with sharp criticism of President Donald Trump’s reaction to the death of former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who passed away over the weekend.
The president addressed Mueller’s death in a Saturday statement posted to Truth Social, writing, “Robert Mueller just died. Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people.”
During Monday’s broadcast, Kimmel read the president’s statement and suggested Trump was referring to himself when mentioning “innocent people.” The host then proceeded to characterize the president’s remarks as evidence of what he called a suppressed acknowledgment.
“He’s had the truth bottled up for so long, it bursts out of him,” Kimmel stated during his monologue. “So much time has elapsed since the last time he said something true, he erupts. He just comes out with a death wish.”
The late night host continued his criticism, adding, “No matter how busy he is, President Trump will always carve out time to be a petty little bitch.”
Kimmel went on to praise Mueller’s background, noting his service as a decorated Marine veteran who served in Vietnam. The host then drew a contrast with President Trump, claiming the president “dodged Vietnam and wore bronzing cream.”
The broadcast marked Kimmel’s return to television following a brief absence. His show had been temporarily pulled from the air after controversial comments he made regarding the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk last fall.
Mueller served as Special Counsel during the investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, a probe that lasted nearly two years and dominated political discourse throughout much of Trump’s first term. The investigation ultimately did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities.
The president has long maintained that the Mueller investigation represented what he termed a “hoax” and “witch hunt” designed to undermine his presidency. Trump and his supporters have consistently argued that the probe caused significant damage to innocent individuals caught up in its wide-ranging scope.
The exchange represents the latest instance of ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and figures in the entertainment industry who have been critical of the president’s policies and public statements.
Related: California School District Allegedly Issued Unauthorized Diplomas to Chinese Students
