Current:Home > ContactJimmy Kimmel, more late-night hosts 'shocked' by Trump Cabinet picks: 'Goblins and weirdos' -Capitatum
Jimmy Kimmel, more late-night hosts 'shocked' by Trump Cabinet picks: 'Goblins and weirdos'
View
Date:2025-04-12 09:32:35
The era of late-night jokes about the Trump administration has officially returned.
Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers on Wednesday had a field day with President-elect Donald Trump's latest picks for his Cabinet. Some of the incoming president's selections announced in recent days have been unexpected and controversial, including former Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general (he's facing a House ethics investigation over sexual misconduct allegations).
In another surprise pick, Trump nominated Fox News host Pete Hegseth as his Defense secretary.
"You will not believe some of the people (Trump) wants to hire," Kimmel told viewers. "We thought it would be crazy. It is so much crazier than anyone ever imagined."
The comedian, who previously held back tears in his monologue after Trump's election win, mocked the idea of Hegseth serving as Defense secretary.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"There's nothing more intimidating than a morning talk-show host," he said sarcastically. "It's why Regis (Philbin) was so valuable to JFK during the Cuban Missile Crisis."
Kimmel also joked that former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard becoming Trump's director of national intelligence "could interfere with her other job working for Russian national intelligence." But these "wild" picks seem "reasonable" compared to Trump's selection of Gaetz for attorney general, he argued.
"In a lot of jobs, being investigated for sex trafficking underage girls would hurt your chance for advancement, but in the Trump administration, you can list it on your resume under special skills."
Jimmy Kimmelfights back tears discussing Trump's election win: 'It was a terrible night'
Stephen Colbert 'shocked' by Matt Gaetz AG pick, calls Hegseth nom 'stupefying'
Stephen Colbert wasn't any less dismayed about the way the second Trump administration is taking shape.
Declaring that Trump's second term is "already way worse" than his first before it even begins, the "Late Show" host was aghast by the "horrifying" idea of Gaetz becoming attorney general.
"During the campaign, I thought if Trump won, he would do the worst things I could imagine. Turns out, I don't have much of an imagination. There is not enough botox in the world to hide how shocked I am. There's also not enough botox in the world because Matt Gaetz used all of it."
Colbert wasn't happy with Gabbard becoming director of national intelligence, either.
Noting that she was once a guest on his show, he quipped, "When I think Tulsi Gabbard, the word 'intelligence' is not the first one that comes to mind — or the second."
Dick Van Dykesays he 'fortunately' won't be around for Trump's second presidency
But the comic said that before these nominations, he was expecting to lead with the "outrageous" and "stupefying" news that Hegseth was picked to be Trump's Defense secretary.
In reference to Hegseth's job as co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend, he joked, "If we have a war on a weekday, he won't know what to do!"
Seth Meyers derides Trump's Cabinet of 'goblins and weirdos'
Meanwhile, Seth Meyers panned Trump's "Cabinet of crazy people" in a "Closer Look" segment, also describing it as a group of "goblins and weirdos."
In particular, Meyers dismissed Hegseth as an "insane choice" for Defense secretary and suggested he needed "unearned confidence" to say yes to the job "with zero government experience."
In addition to his job on Fox, Hegseth is also a military veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Meyers also listed off a series of TV characters or personalities who he joked could be added to the administration next, including Lionel Hutz from "The Simpsons" as attorney general and "Cash Cab" host Ben Bailey as secretary of transportation.
Cardi B, Joe Rogan,Stephen King and more stars react to Trump election win: 'America is done'
Striking a more serious tone, the "Late Night" host concluded, "One thing is clear from these appointments: Trump will not feel restrained in his second term. He's hiring oligarchs and TV personalities for powerful government positions."
All major late-night hosts shared their initial reactions to Trump's election win last Wednesday, with Kimmel saying his kids were "very upset" by the results.
Colbert also said it was "really hard to see a bright side," and Meyers told his audience, "We're about to step over the precipice into truly uncharted territory."
veryGood! (8)
Related
- Residents in Alaska capital clean up swamped homes after an ice dam burst and unleashed a flood
- Yellow-legged hornets, murder hornet's relative, found in Georgia, officials want them destroyed
- Rupert Murdoch is selling his triplex penthouse in New York City. See what it looks like.
- Celebrating O.J. Simpson's football feats remains a delicate balance for his former teams
- Jay Kanter, veteran Hollywood producer and Marlon Brando agent, dies at 97: Reports
- Riley Strain Case: Family Friend Reveals Huge Development in Death Investigation
- Biden heads to his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to talk about taxes
- 'Magnificent': Japan gifts more cherry trees to Washington as token of enduring friendship
- 51-year-old Andy Macdonald puts on Tony Hawk-approved Olympic skateboard showing
- US consumer sentiment falls slightly as outlook for inflation worsens
Ranking
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Lisa Rinna Reveals She Dissolved Her Facial Fillers Amid Reaction to Her Appearance
- Golden Bachelor's Gerry Turner Officially Files for Divorce From Theresa Nist
- DeSantis bans local governments from protecting workers from heat and limits police oversight boards
- Olympic men's basketball bracket: Results of the 5x5 tournament
- 'Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion' doc examines controversial retailer Brandy Melville
- Court says judge had no authority to halt Medicare Advantage plan for Delaware government retirees
- Sister of missing Minnesota woman Maddi Kingsbury says her pleas for help on TikTok generated more tips
Recommendation
NCAA President Charlie Baker would be 'shocked' if women's tournament revenue units isn't passed
Biden announced $7.4 billion in student loan relief. Here's how that looks in your state
'Deadpool & Wolverine' makes a splash with cheeky new footage: 'I'm going to Disneyland'
Dead whale in New Jersey had a fractured skull among numerous injuries, experts find
Kehlani Responds to Hurtful Accusation She’s in a Cult
Is sharing music your love language? Here's how to make a collaborative playlist
Dead whale in New Jersey had a fractured skull among numerous injuries, experts find
Stunning new Roman frescoes uncovered at Pompeii, the ancient Italian city frozen in time by a volcano