Current:Home > FinanceJimmy Kimmel, more late-night hosts 'shocked' by Trump Cabinet picks: 'Goblins and weirdos' -Ascend Finance Compass
Jimmy Kimmel, more late-night hosts 'shocked' by Trump Cabinet picks: 'Goblins and weirdos'
View
Date:2025-04-11 21:51:48
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! (1)
Related
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- The overlooked power of Latino consumers
- Thousands of children's bikes recalled over handlebar issue
- The federal spending bill will make it easier to save for retirement. Here's how
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- For the Sunrise Movement’s D.C. Hub, a Call to Support the Movement for Black Lives
- Shannen Doherty Recalls “Overwhelming” Fear Before Surgery to Remove Tumor in Her Head
- Thousands of children's bikes recalled over handlebar issue
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Britain is seeing a wave of strikes as nurses, postal workers and others walk out
Ranking
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Across America, Five Communities in Search of Environmental Justice
- New York’s Use of Landmark Climate Law Could Resound in Other States
- Harris and Ocasio-Cortez Team up on a Climate ‘Equity’ Bill, Leaving Activists Hoping for Unity
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- In the West, Signs in the Snow Warn That a 20-Year Drought Will Persist and Intensify
- 6 killed in small plane crash in Southern California
- From Twitter chaos to TikTok bans to the metaverse, social media had a rocky 2022
Recommendation
Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
Mary-Louise Parker Addresses Ex Billy Crudup's Marriage to Naomi Watts
With Climate Change Intensifying, Can At-Risk Minority Communities Rely on the Police to Keep Them Safe?
The Real Story Behind Khloe Kardashian and Michele Morrone’s Fashion Show Date
See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
Polar Bear Moms Stick to Their Dens Even Faced With Life-Threatening Dangers Like Oil Exploration
Southwest cancels another 4,800 flights as its reduced schedule continues
Southwest cancels 5,400 flights in less than 48 hours in a 'full-blown meltdown'