Jimmy Kimmel addressed the emerging results of the 2026 midterm elections on Tuesday night, becoming the first late night host to respond as Democrats were projected to capture both the House and the Senate. His monologue focused heavily on President Donald Trump, continuing the longstanding feud between the president and the ABC comedian.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! reportedly recorded its Tuesday episode later than its usual schedule, giving the host an opportunity to incorporate early election returns. None of the major late night programs broadcast live that evening. The timing nevertheless allowed Kimmel to discuss developments that were unavailable when another show recorded its election night episode.
Comedy Central’s The Daily Show was the only other major late night program with a new episode on Tuesday, but its taping took place before many polling locations had closed. Stephen Colbert had regularly presented live election night editions of The Late Show. CBS canceled that program last year, and its run concluded in May.
The results available during Kimmel’s taping pointed toward Democratic control of both chambers of Congress, alongside historic and unexpected victories in Georgia, Texas, Ohio, South Carolina and Kansas. Kimmel used those early developments as the basis for jokes about the political setback facing Trump and the gains being made by Democrats.
One opening target was Trump’s recent habit of complimenting people’s rear ends. Kimmel referenced comments involving Nicki Minaj and Jon Husted before turning the subject into a joke about the election outcome. He also brought back the false rumor from 2024 that Vice President J.D. Vance had sex with a couch, connecting it to the number of congressional seats Democrats were taking.
Kimmel then imagined Trump spending the day watching election coverage on Fox News, joking that he was “trying to give himself an insurrection.” Other lines pictured the president throwing dipping sauce containers at his television in frustration. The host also joked about the delivery driver bringing Trump a Papa John’s order that night.
Alongside the presidential punchlines, Kimmel reviewed the status of several key races as they stood when the episode was recorded. He also turned his attention to outgoing House Speaker Mike Johnson, presenting a compilation of humorous moments as a tribute.
