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Jimmy Kimmel Responds to Trump’s Mid-Interview Zoning Out With a Wink at His Own Late-Night Roots

Jimmy Kimmel mocks Trump for falling asleep during a press conference with the Secretary of Energy in attendance.

By mitch·2 min read
An illustration showing a man asleep at a table while others around him continue their business.

Jimmy Kimmel has the perfect response to Trump appearing to doze off on camera again. The host made a joke about the president falling asleep during a press conference, and the footage he used made the setup almost too good to miss.

Kimmel’s monologue opened with a line about the administration’s current state. “The president right now is working very hard to right the ship that definitely isn’t sinking,” he said. He then moved to the event that gave him the material: “Trump held an event yesterday to triumphantly announce a $54 billion investment in natural gas.”

The joke landed on the moment itself. Kimmel showed footage of Trump with his eyes closed in a room full of men taking turns to praise him. “Only Donald Trump would fall asleep during a press conference with the Secretary of Energy,” he concluded.

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The Setup That Worked

Kimmel has made many jokes about Trump appearing to fall asleep at events. This one gave him the perfect punchline. The timing helped, and the footage did the heavy lifting.

Trump’s eyes were closed, and the room was packed with men who kept talking anyway. Kimmel didn’t need to explain why the moment was funny — he just had to point at it.

What Kimmel Said

Kimmel’s delivery was straightforward. He set up the context, delivered the setup, and let the footage do the rest. The joke wasn’t a dig at natural gas or energy policy. It was a joke about the man himself.

The monologue stayed focused on the moment. Kimmel didn’t stray into broader political territory. He stuck to the image and the punchline.

Streaming Options

For viewers who want to watch more late-night comedy, the streamers offer a range of choices:

  • HBO Max — top pick for premium content
  • Disney+ — best for families
  • Hulu — popular choice for originals
  • Peacock — low-cost choice for live sport

The Verdict

The joke worked because the footage was so obviously absurd. Trump’s eyes were closed, and the room was full of people who seemed unaware of the situation. The contrast between the sleeping president and the praising crowd created the perfect setup.

Kimmel didn’t have to try very hard. The moment did the work for him. The joke was a quick hit, and it landed cleanly.

See the a run of 28 images at Mashable.

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