Jimmy Kimmel says he is more popular than the president

Late-night host claims victory over Trump

Jimmy Kimmel shared surprising news with his audience on October 6, declaring himself more popular than President Donald Trump. The announcement came during his Monday night show after a recent YouGov poll revealed the comedian’s higher favorability ratings.

This bold statement marks the latest chapter in an ongoing feud between the late-night host and the sitting president. Kimmel’s claim arrives amid renewed controversy following his recent suspension and return to television.

Poll reveals Kimmel leads by 16 points

The YouGov survey conducted in late September showed Kimmel with a net favorability rating of plus three. Trump registered minus 13, creating a striking 16-point gap between the two public figures.

The poll surveyed over 1,000 American adults to measure public opinion toward both personalities. These results positioned the comedian ahead of the president in overall likability among respondents.

Breaking down the favorability numbers

Among respondents, 44 percent viewed Kimmel favorably while 41 percent held unfavorable opinions of him. Trump received favorable ratings from 41 percent with 54 percent expressing unfavorable views.

The remaining participants indicated they were undecided about each figure. These margins reflected public sentiment during a contentious period for both individuals.

Kimmel celebrates with signature humor

“According to a new poll from YouGov, I am more popular than the president of the United States,” Kimmel announced triumphantly. He joked that Trump “keeps saying I have no ratings” before adding “that makes two of us.”

The host’s comedic delivery drew applause from his studio audience. His celebration mixed pride with his characteristic self-deprecating humor about the unexpected polling result.

The toenail salad comparison

Kimmel delivered a memorable quip about the poll results during his monologue. “At this point, finding a toenail in your salad has a seven-point lead over Donald Trump,” he joked.

The line became one of the most quoted moments from his return. Kimmel suggested his rating should actually be higher given his lack of criminal convictions.

White House responds with sharp statement

The White House issued an official response through spokesperson Anna Kelly, calling the situation “sad.” The statement noted that over 77 million Americans voted for Trump on Election Day.

It claimed Kimmel “prays every night to garner a fraction of that support” to keep his show running. The administration also cited a 64 percent ratings drop after his return week.

Kimmel fires back at administration

The comedian responded to the White House statement with his own cutting remarks. “You know what else is sad? That the president has a lower approval rating than Diddy and diarrhea,” Kimmel quipped.

He mocked the administration’s use of “sad” with an exclamation point. The host suggested Trump “cares very deeply” about polling numbers and approval ratings.

Recent suspension fueled the rivalry

ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! in mid-September after controversial comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The suspension lasted six days following pressure from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.

Trump celebrated the suspension initially, claiming ABC had “fired” the host. Kimmel returned to record ratings on September 23 despite approximately 23 percent of households being unable to watch.

Historic ratings surge upon return

Jimmy Kimmel’s comeback episode drew a massive 6.26 million viewers, nearly tripling his typical audience. The September 23 broadcast marked his highest ratings in ten years.

Around 26 million people viewed his emotional monologue across social media platforms. The momentum continued into Brooklyn Week, showing that it maintained strong viewership numbers.

Monthly ratings crown first time ever

September 2025 marked the first monthly ratings victory in Jimmy Kimmel Live! history. The show averaged 2.75 million viewers, up 149 percent from the previous month.

Kimmel edged out Stephen Colbert’s Late Show which drew 2.73 million viewers. The achievement came despite Kimmel only returning during the final week of the month.

Brooklyn shows extend success

Jimmy Kimmel’s Brooklyn Week from September 29 averaged 2.2 million viewers. The special broadcasts from the Brooklyn Academy of Music featured high-profile guests, including Kimmel’s buddy Stephen Colbert.

Monday’s episode with Ryan Reynolds drew 2.86 million viewers, the week’s highest. Brooklyn Week content generated over 34 million views on YouTube.

Trump approval ratings remain underwater

Donald Trump’s overall approval rating stood at 40 percent in recent YouGov polling. Sadly, His disapproval rating reached 55 percent among Americans surveyed.

The president’s net approval rating of minus 8.4 reflected ongoing challenges during his challenging second term. Multiple polls showed Trump trailing in favorability across key battleground states.

Comparing to other late-night hosts

Stephen Colbert dominated late-night in total viewers with 2.42 million during the second quarter of 2025. Kimmel followed with 1.77 million, leading in the key 18–49 demographic.

Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show ranked third with 1.19 million viewers. Despite their success, all three hosts have faced steady viewership declines over the past decade.

Kimmel suggests releasing Epstein files

The comedian took a jab at Trump while offering unexpected advice to boost his approval ratings. “If he’s looking to improve his approval numbers, I have an idea: release the Epstein files,” Kimmel quipped.

He noted that 77 percent of Americans support making the documents public, earning huge studio cheers during the October 6 broadcast.

FCC controversy sparked free speech debate

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr reportedly threatened ABC stations ahead of Kimmel’s suspension, warning, “we can do this the easy way or the hard way” in response to his remarks. Republican Senators Rand Paul and Ted Cruz condemned Carr’s comments as clear government overreach.

The controversy quickly escalated, drawing national media attention. It ultimately ignited a nationwide debate over free speech and First Amendment protections.

YouTube success dwarfs television numbers

Kimmel’s return monologue pulled in over 15 million YouTube views, proving his digital dominance. His channel now boasts 20 million subscribers, with recent videos topping 3 million views each.

These online numbers easily outshine traditional Nielsen TV ratings. His Brooklyn Week content added another 34 million views, showcasing unmatched online reach.

Jimmy Kimmel’s post-suspension comeback hasn’t gone as planned. Here’s what’s happening with his ratings.

Ongoing feud shows no signs of stopping

The long-running rivalry between Kimmel and Trump keeps fueling headlines and boosting ratings. Kimmel has repeatedly worked Trump’s approval numbers into his recent monologues.

Meanwhile, the president often targets Kimmel on Truth Social, mocking his talent and viewership. Both seem determined to keep the feud alive for the foreseeable future.

Jimmy Kimmel bounced back with jokes after the revival of his show. See how he poked fun at JD Vance during his big TV return.

Do you think Kimmel’s confidence is justified or just late-night humor gone bold? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.