On recent episodes of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the host Jimmy Kimmel has devoted sustained attention to Ohio Senator and vice-presidential nominee J. D. Vance, using monologues and clips to underscore what he portrays as a striking political reversal: Vance’s transformation from a sharp critic of Donald Trump into one of his most prominent defenders.

Kimmel’s critique draws heavily on Vance’s own words. In 2016, while still a private citizen and author, Vance wrote in a private message to a Yale Law School acquaintance that he went “back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical Nixon… or that he’s America’s Hitler.” The message, later made public, has been acknowledged by Vance, who said he was wrong and blamed what he described as media distortions during the early Trump era.

On air, Kimmel has repeatedly returned to that quote, contrasting it with Vance’s current posture as Trump’s running mate and a vocal advocate of his policies and conduct. “This is not growth,” Kimmel said during one monologue, framing the reversal instead as political convenience. He described Vance as “a hollow shell of a human being,” a line that circulated widely online and prompted sharp reactions from conservatives.

Much of Kimmel’s commentary has focused on Vance’s defense of Trump amid a series of controversies, including reports that Trump held private conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin after leaving office. When Vance dismissed concerns by asking whether there was “anything wrong with speaking to world leaders,” Kimmel responded that such conduct would be inappropriate—and potentially illegal—for a private citizen. He cited the Logan Act, which restricts unauthorized foreign diplomacy, though no charges have been filed.

Kimmel has also mocked Trump’s public behavior, particularly a series of social media posts made during holidays and international events. In one segment, he replayed clips of Trump speaking at rallies and posting online about topics ranging from windmills to personal grievances against political opponents. Kimmel characterized the behavior as erratic, suggesting it reflected a president—or former president—unable to disengage from constant agitation.

Beyond policy and legality, Kimmel’s attacks have leaned heavily on satire. Vance has become a recurring target of jokes about his appearance and demeanor, including a viral line comparing him to “someone who asked AI to combine the cast of Two and a Half Men into one person.” Another running gag referenced Vance’s past remarks about people without children, which Kimmel used to accuse him of holding outdated and dismissive views toward women.

These jokes, while comedic in form, have been paired with more pointed political criticism. Kimmel has repeatedly aired Vance’s deleted tweets from before his Senate run, including one in which Vance wrote that Trump made “immigrants, Muslims, etc.” feel afraid and that he found Trump “reprehensible.” Kimmel argued that the deletions—and Vance’s subsequent denial that they reflected his true beliefs—raised questions about authenticity.

The exchange escalated after Vance suggested in interviews that Kimmel’s influence was waning and that advertisers were distancing themselves from the show. When Kimmel returned from a brief suspension related to an unrelated controversy, he responded directly on air, citing viewership data showing his monologue had drawn millions of online views, making it one of the most-watched segments in the program’s history.

Perhaps Kimmel’s sharpest moment came when he challenged Vance’s claim that political extremism is primarily a phenomenon of the left. Referring to the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, Kimmel asked: “Who wanted to hang the guy who was vice president before you?” The line, referencing threats made against then–Vice President Mike Pence, drew loud applause from the studio audience and was widely shared on social media.

The sustained focus on Vance reflects a broader shift in late-night television, where hosts increasingly blend comedy with archival footage, direct quotations, and legal context. While Kimmel’s tone remains irreverent, his segments often function as a form of opposition commentary, aimed at audiences who may not engage with traditional political news.

For Vance, the scrutiny underscores the difficulty of reconciling past opposition to Trump with present loyalty. For Trump, it is another reminder that even outside the formal campaign arena, his influence—and the contradictions surrounding it—continue to dominate public discourse. And for viewers, the episodes illustrate how entertainment platforms have become central stages in the ongoing debate over power, consistency, and accountability in American politics.

Whether such satire has lasting political impact is unclear. But it has ensured that Vance’s earlier words, and the tension they create with his current role, remain firmly in the public record.