Late Night Host Jimmy Kimmel Gets Italian Citizenship, Says US Under Trump ‘Worse Than...’

Last Updated:August 12, 2025, 22:36 IST

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel opens the door to a possible exit from the US, while urging voters to keep an open mind about Trump.

Jimmy Kimmel has acquired Italian citizenship amid concerns over Donald Trump’s presidency, calling the situation “worse than expected". (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has revealed that he obtained Italian citizenship this year, partly as an exit option amid growing concerns about President Donald Trump’s administration. Speaking on The Sarah Silverman Podcast, Kimmel said the political situation in the US was “as bad as you thought it was gonna be," adding, “It’s so much worse; it’s just unbelievable. I feel like it’s probably even worse than he would like it to be."

Kimmel’s move follows a trend among celebrities such as Rosie O’Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres, who left the country after Trump defeated Kamala Harris in last year’s presidential election. O’Donnell, a frequent Trump critic, recently told Variety she had no plans to return to the US anytime soon, citing concerns for her child’s safety and the political climate.

Kimmel regularly targets Trump in his late-night monologues, which has led to Trump publicly threatening the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live. Trump claimed it would be the next show to go after CBS cancelled Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show. Responding on air, Kimmel said: “I’m hearing you’re next. Or maybe it’s just another wonderful secret," referencing a Wall Street Journal report about a letter Trump sent to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.

On the podcast, Kimmel also addressed the backlash faced by those who change their minds about Trump. Responding to criticism directed at figures like Joe Rogan for questioning Trump’s policies, Kimmel said the door must remain open for voters reconsidering their positions.

“Now you see these clips of Joe Rogan saying, ‘Why is he doing this? Why are you deporting people?’ And people go, ‘Fuck you! You supported him.’ I don’t buy into that," Kimmel said. “The door has to stay open. If you want to change your mind, that’s so hard to do. If you want to admit you were wrong, that is so hard and so rare to do. You are welcome [to do so]."

While Kimmel remains committed to hosting his late-night show on ABC, his Italian citizenship gives him a possible way out, joining a number of celebrities who have considered or made moves abroad due to their concerns about Trump’s presidency.

News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

News viral Late Night Host Jimmy Kimmel Gets Italian Citizenship, Says US Under Trump ‘Worse Than...’

Read More