Jimmy Kimmel Takes Aim at Donald Trump Following Projected Midterm Victories for Democrats

Jimmy Kimmel emerged as the first late-night television host to tackle the early results of the 2026 midterm elections on Tuesday night, capitalizing on a shifted production schedule to address sweeping projections that favored Democrats.

According to reporting by The Hollywood Reporter, none of the prominent late-night programs broadcast live on election night. However, ABC's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' taped later than its typical schedule to capture early returns. Comedy Central's 'The Daily Show' also broadcast an original episode on Tuesday, but that broadcast was recorded prior to poll closures across much of the nation. The landscape was also shaped by the absence of CBS fixture Stephen Colbert, whose 'Late Show' was canceled by the network last year and concluded its run in May after previously airing live on major election evenings.

Kimmel utilized his delayed taping window to react to projection models indicating Democrats were poised to secure majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. According to The Hollywood Reporter, these projections followed notable and historic victories in states including Georgia, Texas, Ohio, South Carolina, and Kansas.

The shifting political balance prompted commentary across the political spectrum. Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro characterized the 2026 midterm outcome as 'a wipeout for Republicans,' remarking that 'the president was kind of on the ballot,' according to coverage from The Hollywood Reporter.

During his opening monologue, Kimmel directed his humor at President Donald Trump, with whom he has maintained a longstanding public rivalry. Kimmel focused on Trump's recent public commentary regarding physical appearances, referencing prior remarks involving rapper Nicki Minaj and Ohio official Jon Husted.

'It seems to be after all the talk about Nicki Minaj’s ass, Jon Husted’s ass, the only ass on Trump’s mind tonight is the one that just got handed to him,' Kimmel stated during his monologue, as documented by The Hollywood Reporter.

Kimmel extended his satirical jabs to Vice President J.D. Vance, invoking a widely circulated, debunked 2024 internet rumor concerning furniture. 'The Democrats took so many seats, J.D. Vance can’t even find one to have sex with him,' Kimmel said.

The late-night host also speculated through satire on the mood within the executive residence as projections aired. Kimmel quipped that Trump spent his election day viewing Fox News broadcasts while 'trying to give himself an insurrection.'

'Word from the inside the White House is he’s already run out of dipping sauce containers to throw at the television set,' Kimmel remarked to his audience. 'Man, oh man, would I hate to be the Door Dash driver who delivers Trump his Papa John’s tonight?'

In addition to addressing national margins, Kimmel reviewed the status of critical contested races available at his taping time and highlighted outgoing House Speaker Mike Johnson by presenting a compilation of notable broadcast moments, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed.