Kaylah Walton
Late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel quickly responded to Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, after Musk called him an “insufferable nonsense propaganda puppet” on X (previously Twitter).
This criticism from Musk followed Kimmel‘s segment discussing Donald Trump‘s potential victory in the 2024 Presidential election, igniting a public spat between the billionaire and the talk show host.
During his latest monologue, Kimmel turned Musk’s remark into a humorous moment, poking fun at Musk and his array of controversies with both wit and sharp insight.
He began the show by discussing Musk’s tweet, saying, “Last night, I expressed how much I’ll miss democracy,” while referencing Trump’s electoral victory.
“Then this morning, I received a tweet from the wealthiest man alive, Elon Musk, who called me ‘an insufferable nonsense propaganda puppet.’ At least my kids appreciate me!”
This jab nodded to Musk’s troubled relationship with his daughter, Vivian Wilson, who has openly criticized him, labeling him a “serial adulterer.” The audience responded with laughter to Kimmel’s remark.
Taking a step further, Kimmel highlighted the irony in Musk’s “propaganda puppet” label. “The guy who purchased a platform that serves as a propaganda outlet is calling me a puppet. Hey, Kermit, you own Twitter—what else do you want?”
For added hilarity, Kimmel presented a spoof project, sharing a picture of himself depicted as a puppet with the tagline: “Insufferable Nonsense Propaganda Puppet.” He joked, “Thanks to Elon, my big reveal is spoiled!”
He also revisited a past statement from Trump about Musk, in which Trump suggested that Musk had solicited favors during his time in the White House.
Trump stated Musk would have “dropped to his knees and begged.” To which Kimmel responded with a grin, “I bet his tiny hand fits right inside Trump’s sock hole.”
Divisive Monologue Evokes Varied Reactions
This back-and-forth follows Kimmel‘s extensive anti-Trump monologue that lasted 19 minutes, urging viewers to reconsider supporting the former president.
Despite Kimmel‘s admission of bias, some audience members felt disconnected by his lengthy commentary, one saying, “I was undecided, but now that Hollywood figures like Kimmel back Harris, I’ll vote for Trump.”
Others reminisced about the times when late-night shows prioritized entertainment over political discussions, with one viewer commenting, “Remember when late-night was just for fun? Jimmy’s become just a clown now.”
This heated exchange is part of broader cultural clashes appearing in social media and television arenas.
Both Musk and Kimmel embody controversial personas in their respective domains, highlighting the continuing friction within the contemporary political and cultural landscape. It’s clear neither side intends to yield anytime soon.
