Jimmy Kimmel Under Fire After Rudy Giuliani Joke Resurfaces

Jimmy Kimmel is facing renewed criticism after a recent joke about Rudy Giuliani resurfaced following the former New York City mayor’s hospitalization.

Giuliani, 81, was hospitalized in critical but stable condition, according to his spokesperson, Ted Goodman. The cause of the hospitalization has not been publicly disclosed.

The renewed attention centers on a recent Jimmy Kimmel Live! monologue in which Kimmel responded to Giuliani’s criticism of him. Giuliani had weighed in after Kimmel faced backlash for a separate joke about First Lady Melania Trump. During the segment, Kimmel joked that Giuliani had “rose from the grave” to comment on the controversy, according to reports.

The remark gained fresh attention after news of Giuliani’s hospitalization became public. Critics of Kimmel argued that the joke appeared insensitive in hindsight, while others noted that the comment aired before Giuliani’s health update was reported.

Kimmel was already at the center of a separate controversy over a joke he made about Melania Trump during a comedy segment tied to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The line described the first lady as having “a glow like an expectant widow,” which drew criticism from both Melania Trump and President Donald Trump.

Trump later called for Kimmel to be fired by ABC, while Melania Trump said the remark was not comedy. Kimmel defended the joke on his show, saying it was meant as a “light roast” about the age difference between the president and first lady, not a call for violence.

The latest backlash adds another layer to an already heated dispute involving late-night comedy, political satire and network accountability. Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs on ABC, which is owned by Disney.

Kimmel has not issued a separate public apology for the Giuliani remark. Giuliani’s team has asked supporters to keep the former mayor in their prayers as he remains under medical care.