Jimmy Kimmel took a swing at Donald Trump’s latest move to impose significant tariffs on films produced overseas, and the late-night comedian couldn’t resist poking fun at the absurdity of it all.
On his Monday night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he launched into a humorous critique of the president’s plan, which he introduced just one day after conservative actor Jon Voight reportedly suggested similar measures to Trump.
Trump’s Plan to Tax Foreign Films
Kimmel read aloud Trump’s post from Truth Social, where the president unveiled his proposal for a 100% tariff on films made outside the U.S.
Trump claimed that the American film industry was “DYING a very fast death,” despite the fact that the industry had just enjoyed a strong post-pandemic weekend at the box office.
Trump blamed foreign incentives drawing filmmakers away from the U.S. and even went as far as calling this a national security threat.
According to him, Hollywood and other parts of the country were being “devastated” by foreign competition.
Mocking Trump’s National Security Concern
Kimmel couldn’t hold back his sarcastic remarks: “We do?” he replied, questioning Trump’s call for American-made films.
“I don’t care where they’re made,” Kimmel quipped, adding, “It’s what the late, great Hannibal Lecter would’ve wanted… Sonic — the illegal immigrant hedgehog — is a national security threat and he must be stopped!”
The comedian also made light of Trump’s apparent “research” into the issue, joking that Trump’s so-called investigation likely involved a brunch with Jon Voight over the weekend at Mar-A-Lago.
Kimmel’s humor pointed to the oddity of Trump’s sudden interest in Hollywood tariffs.
Voight’s Influence on the Tariff Proposal
Kimmel wasn’t just joking about Voight; he pointed out that the actor had indeed met with Trump just before the president’s tariff announcement.
Voight, who Trump had appointed as a “special ambassador” to Hollywood, was tasked with finding ways to bring film production back to the U.S.
This effort was in response to the growing trend of filmmakers choosing to shoot abroad for financial reasons, like tax incentives.
Kimmel mocked the idea that Trump’s tariff proposal could have stemmed from advice by “Angelina Jolie’s 86-year-old father she won’t talk to,” continuing his jabs at Voight’s influence on the plan.
Voight’s Original Tariff Idea and Trump’s Overreach
While Voight had suggested tax incentives, subsidies for theaters, and treaties with foreign countries, Kimmel highlighted how Trump’s tariff idea seemed to blow past those more measured recommendations.
In fact, Trump’s sweeping 100% tariff proposal ignored the more nuanced advice that Voight had offered.
It also raised confusion over whether the tariffs would apply to foreign films alone, or if they would extend to American-financed films shot overseas or films made in the U.S. but owned by foreign companies.
Industry experts have raised alarms that such tariffs could harm not just foreign productions but the entire U.S. film industry, potentially leading to significant financial repercussions.
AI-Generated Fun at Trump’s Expense
In addition to mocking the tariff plan, Kimmel also took aim at Trump’s recent use of AI-generated images.
The former president posted one such image of himself dressed as the Pope on Truth Social.
Meanwhile, the official White House Twitter account shared an AI-generated image of President Biden sporting rippling muscles and wielding a lightsaber on May 4, Star Wars Day.
Kimmel was quick to point out that Trump was holding a red lightsaber in his image, which, of course, is associated with the Dark Side in the Star Wars universe.
Kimmel ended with a smirk, teasing, “What’s next?” leaving everyone wondering where Trump’s next bizarre move might lead.