In a bold move, late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel suggested he should host the White House Correspondents' Dinner, a role typically reserved for comedians. But this year, the organizers have opted for a mentalist, Oz Pearlman, instead. Kimmel's proposal comes after President Donald Trump announced his attendance, marking his first appearance at the dinner since 2011, when he was a celebrity guest.
Kimmel, known for his satirical humor, quipped, 'Think of the ratings!' He argued that the dinner has a tradition of being hosted by comedians like Al Franken, Ray Romano, Seth Meyers, and Conan O'Brien. But here's where it gets controversial: Kimmel himself hosted the event back in 2012, and he believes Trump's presence this year influenced the decision to choose a mentalist instead.
The comedian didn't hold back, calling the choice to avoid a comedian a 'cop-out.' He even made a direct appeal to Trump, asking to host the dinner alongside the President and the FCC commissioner. This request comes after Kimmel faced backlash and a brief show suspension for controversial comments, which sparked a response from the FCC.
The White House spokesperson, Davis Ingle, didn't hold back either, calling Kimmel a 'talentless hack with failing ratings.' This exchange adds fuel to the fire, as it's not the first time Kimmel has clashed with Trump. The comedian has been a target of Trump's criticism in the past, with the President demanding Kimmel be taken off the air.
And this is the part most people miss: the tradition of a comedian hosting this dinner was broken last year when the WHCA canceled their comedian performer, Amber Ruffin, to move away from divisive politics. So, is Kimmel's request a genuine offer or a satirical jab at Trump and the WHCA's decisions? You decide. What do you think about Kimmel's proposal? Is it a clever idea or a controversial move?
