In a surprising turn of events at the 2024 Oscars, talk show host Jimmy Kimmel drew attention by making a joke about former President Donald Trump. Despite pleas from his wife and ABC producers to avoid mentioning Trump, Kimmel went ahead and read the former president's scathing social media post onstage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

The controversy arose when Donald Trump took to his new social media platform, Truth Social, to criticize Kimmel's hosting skills. Calling for his replacement with ABC "talent" George Slopanopoulos, Trump accused Kimmel of trying too hard to be something he is not and labeled him a "less than average person."

During his monologue, Kimmel addressed Trump's post by sarcastically questioning whether it was past the former president's jail time yet, much to the delight of the audience. Kimmel's wife, Molly McNearney, who was a co-executive producer on the telecast, admitted she had tried to dissuade him from reading Trump's tweet. She expressed concern about giving Trump airtime during the Oscars, stating that the night was not about him or politics.

However, Kimmel seemed determined to address the criticism from Trump on a platform as prominent as the Oscars. He recounted how ABC producers also attempted to dissuade him from making the joke, but he stood his ground. Despite the controversy, Kimmel's monologue continued with a mix of humor and jabs at Hollywood celebrities, including Bradley Cooper, Robert Downey Jr., and Hailey Bieber.

The inclusion of Trump's name in the broadcast certainly divided opinions. Some viewed it as a bold move on Kimmel's part to respond directly to the former president, while others felt it detracted from the positive atmosphere of the awards show. McNearney expressed concern about the risk of introducing Trump's name and potentially ending the show on a sour note.

The Oscars telecast had already witnessed Kimmel celebrating the hardworking members of Hollywood, such as crew members and Teamsters, while also acknowledging the end of the actors' strike in November. Kimmel playfully criticized the stereotype of Hollywood celebrities, portraying them as heavily Botoxed, gluten-sensitive individuals with perpetually shivering Chihuahuas.

As the controversy continues to spark debate, it remains to be seen how the audience's reaction to Kimmel's Trump joke will impact future hosting decisions and the tone of future Oscars telecasts.