Jimmy Kimmel left in tears as he rips into ‘disgusting’ Donald Trump for ‘vile’ comments on LA wildfires: ‘Not surprising’
Jimmy Kimmel has branded Donald Trump “disgusting” for his response to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires during an emotional return to television.
The American talk show host fought back tears during Monday night’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, his first show since evacuating the studio last week due to the fires.
“I don’t want to get into all the vile and irresponsible and stupid things our alleged future President and his gaggle of scumbags chose to say during our darkest and most terrifying hour,” Kimmel said.
He specifically condemned Trump’s attacks on firefighters, stating: “The fact that they chose to attack our firefighters, who apparently aren’t white enough to be out there, risking their lives on our behalf, is… it’s disgusting. But it’s not surprising.”
The 57-year-old presenter struggled to maintain composure as he described what he called a “sickening, shocking, awful experience” for Los Angeles residents.
Kimmel revealed that his studio on Hollywood Boulevard had to be evacuated on Wednesday due to its proximity to fires in Runyon Canyon.
“Some of our co-workers lost their homes,” he told viewers. “Everyone who lives in this city knows someone – most of us, multiple people – families, friends, colleagues, neighbours whose houses burned down.”
The catastrophic fires have torched more than 40,000 acres across the Los Angeles area, with at least 24 people confirmed dead.
Strong Santa Ana winds of up to 100 mph have been fuelling the blazes, with Kimmel noting that “we don’t even know if it’s over” as the winds returned on Monday.
The host disclosed that his own home had housed “19 people and four dogs” on Thursday as residents sought shelter from the fires.
“It was unlike anything I have ever experienced,” Kimmel said of the unprecedented situation facing the city.
Despite his criticism of Trump, Kimmel focused much of his monologue on praising the emergency responders battling the blazes.
He thanked firefighters who had travelled from across the United States, including Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Oregon, Utah, Colorado, Washington, Northern California, New Mexico, Idaho, and Maine.
The host also expressed gratitude to crews who had come from Mexico and Canada to assist with the emergency response.
“And to our police, our National Guard, our rescue workers, doctors, the nurses, EMTs, the pilots working 12-hour shifts – thank God for all of you,” Kimmel said.
He highlighted how the crisis had brought out the best in many local residents.
“Once again, we see our fellow men and women coming together to support each other. People who lost their own homes were out volunteering in parking lots, helping others who lost theirs,” he told viewers.
The show has established a donation centre in its Hollywood backlot to distribute essential items to those affected by the fires.
Kimmel’s comments towards the President-elect come after Trump took to his Truth Social platform to criticise California’s response to the fires, writing: “The fires are still raging in LA. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out.”
The 78-year-old continued: “Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place… they just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them?”
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As of Monday morning, just 13 percent of the Pacific Palisades fire was contained, with firefighters still battling to control the blaze.
The Eaton Fire, which has burned more than 14,000 acres in Altadena and Pasadena, is 27 percent contained.
Disney, the parent company of Jimmy Kimmel Live, has donated £15 million to relief efforts in the region.
Local actor Steve Guttenberg has been helping emergency efforts in Pacific Palisades, moving abandoned cars to allow emergency vehicles through and helping neighbours put out smaller fires.