Jimmy Kimmel Torches Donald Trump Over Summer Achievements in Late-Night Comeback

Jimmy Kimmel is back on the air, and he did not hold back when taking on Donald Trump during his first broadcast in months. The comedian officially returned from his annual hiatus on Tuesday night, kicking off the new broadcast stretch of *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* by roasting the former president's recent activities. Stepping back onto his ABC stage, the host offered a rapid-fire breakdown of the national headlines that dominated the news cycle when he stepped away in mid-June. Kimmel reminded his studio crowd about high gas prices, persistent inflation concerns, foreign policy friction with Iran, and health speculation surrounding Senate figure Mitch McConnell. He even tossed in a joke about the murky state of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool at the start of the summer.

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Moving into his routine, the late-night veteran sarcastically pretended that every single one of those heavy national burdens had been magically resolved during his time away. He joked to the crowd that according to social media posts on Truth Social, everything was completely fixed thanks to the former president, whom Kimmel cheekily nicknamed "DJ Jazzy Donald." The studio audience instantly responded with loud boos to the sarcastic claim, prompting Kimmel to feign total shock. He kept the bit going by pretending to wonder out loud if the crowd was implying that three whole months had passed without any real progress being accomplished on major national issues.

BUZZBEAT

Kimmel traditionally takes an extended break from his hosting duties every summer to spend time with family and recharge. Guest hosts typically step in during his absence, making his official autumn return a highly anticipated moment for viewers who tune in for his political monologues. As the autumn TV season launches, Kimmel's comeback monologue sent a clear message that his signature brand of political satire will remain front and center on late-night television throughout the months ahead.