Late-Night Onslaught: Kimmel and Harris Team Up for a Searing Trump Critique, Sparking Bedlam at Mar-a-Lago

By James Poniewozik and Katie Rogers Los Angeles — Nov. 26, 2025

LOS ANGELES — Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise return to “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Tuesday night, joining host Jimmy Kimmel in a no-holds-barred roast of President Donald J. Trump that zeroed in on his administration’s stumbles, from the sluggish release of Jeffrey Epstein documents to his recent barbs against ABC. The segment, laced with sharp humor and pointed jabs, sent shock waves through conservative circles and reportedly plunged Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago retreat into a frenzy of damage control as donors and aides scrambled to contain the fallout.

Ms. Harris, who last appeared on the show in June 2024 amid protests over her handling of border policies, arrived unannounced during Mr. Kimmel’s monologue — a callback to her pre-election visits that often blended policy talk with pop culture digs. “Jimmy, I heard Don’s been calling you a ‘no-talent hack’ again,” Ms. Harris said, sliding onto the couch with a grin as the audience erupted in applause. “Well, from one ‘loser’ to another: At least our ratings don’t depend on rallies full of empty seats.” Mr. Kimmel, feigning shock, replied: “Kamala, you’re too kind. Trump’s got more beefs than a steakhouse — with ABC, with me, with the Constitution. But hey, at least he’s consistent: Always punching down.”

The duo’s chemistry was electric, riffing on Mr. Trump’s weekend outbursts, including his September rally where he dubbed Ms. Harris “mentally impaired” — a line Mr. Kimmel had mocked in a viral segment. Ms. Harris leaned in: “He calls me impaired? This from the guy who thinks windmills cause cancer and suggests injecting bleach. Jimmy, if that’s genius, I’ll take the impairment any day.” The studio audience howled as Mr. Kimmel unveiled a prop: a comically oversized redaction pen labeled “Trump’s Truth Eraser,” symbolizing the administration’s redacted Epstein files. “Kamala, help me out — what’s blacked out here? Names? Numbers? Or just Don’s dignity?” Ms. Harris grabbed the pen, scribbling over a mock document: “All of the above. But seriously, survivors deserve answers, not excuses.”

The 12-minute exchange went mega-viral, clocking 4.2 million YouTube views by midnight Eastern time and dominating X trends under #KimmelHarrisRoast and #TrumpMeltdown. Posts poured in: One from a Democratic strategist read, “Harris just served Trump on a platter — with Kimmel as the sauce. Mar-a-Lago must be melting faster than Greenland.” MAGA responses fired back, with one influencer posting: “Fake laughs from fake libs. Trump’s building walls; they’re building jokes that flop.” Prediction markets on Polymarket adjusted odds of FCC action against ABC upward to 25 percent, fueled by Mr. Trump’s recent threats to yank the network’s license over “biased” coverage.

Mr. Trump’s retort was immediate and incandescent. At 12:22 a.m., he unleashed a Truth Social storm: “Lyin’ Kamala crashes LOSER Kimmel’s failing show to spread FAKE NEWS about Epstein and me! I knew him like I know losers — NOT WELL! Kimmel’s a disgrace, ratings CRASHING. ABC, you’re next — LICENSE GONE! #WitchHunt4.” The posts, amassing 15 million views overnight, echoed his October attacks on Mr. Kimmel’s 20-minute anti-Trump monologue, which urged Republicans to reject the president. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt amplified the message, tweeting: “VP Harris should focus on real issues like the border she broke, not comedy hours with has-beens.”

The bedlam extended to Mar-a-Lago, where Mr. Trump hosted a pre-Thanksgiving fundraiser for 2026 midterm hopefuls. Attendees, including Silicon Valley executives and oil barons, watched the segment on looped screens — intended as a “watch and rebut” exercise that backfired spectacularly. “The room turned toxic fast,” said one donor, a Texas energy magnate speaking anonymously to avoid backlash. “Half were laughing under their breath; the other half looked ready to bolt. Trump was pacing, yelling at aides: ‘Get Carr on the line!’” Referring to FCC Chair Brendan Carr, whose September suspension of Mr. Kimmel’s show over a Charlie Kirk assassination quip had drawn free-speech outcry. By 1 a.m., two major contributors had exited, sources say, citing “distraction fatigue” in texts to organizers.

This episode revives the Kimmel-Trump feud, a late-night staple since Mr. Kimmel’s 2018 Oscars jab and Mr. Trump’s aborted 2015 appearance on the show. Ms. Harris’s involvement elevates it, blending her prosecutorial edge — honed in the September debate where she dismantled Mr. Trump on live TV — with Mr. Kimmel’s satire. “It’s not just laughs; it’s accountability,” Ms. Harris said post-taping, in a hallway chat with reporters. “When the president attacks the free press, we push back — with facts and fun.” Mr. Kimmel, meanwhile, has faced escalating pressure: His October plea to GOP voters drew death threats, and affiliates like Nexstar briefly pulled episodes under regulatory heat.

Analysts see broader implications. “Harris on Kimmel humanizes the opposition — it’s smart politics in a polarized age,” said David Axelrod, the Obama-era strategist. “Trump’s rage plays to his base, but it alienates moderates tired of the circus.” Polling from Quinnipiac shows Mr. Trump’s media approval at 42 percent, with Epstein handling a sore spot among independents. Republicans downplayed the impact: House Speaker Mike Johnson tweeted, “Comedy hour won’t fix the economy Kamala tanked.”

For Democrats, it’s a morale boost ahead of midterms. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer retweeted a clip: “Kamala and Jimmy: The tag team we need. Trump’s tantrums? Just more noise.” As Thanksgiving approaches, the roast lingers — a reminder that in Trump’s America, late-night TV isn’t just entertainment; it’s the front line of cultural combat.

Mr. Kimmel closed the show defiantly: “Don, if you’re watching — and we know you are — happy holidays. Try the humble pie.” The ovation thundered, echoing from Hollywood to Palm Beach, where the meltdown showed no signs of cooling.