'Jimmy Kimmel Live': Kimmel says Trump is trying to kill himself, viewers call him out for joking about suicide
This is not the first time Jimmy Kimmel has called out President Donald Trump for his decisions — whether it is political, economic or social regulation. And now, with the pressing need to find a cure for Covid-19, Trump addressed the press saying that he had been taking hydroxychloroquine, which was proposed as the cure but disapproved by the FDA. Kimmel showed a clip of the press conference where reporters asked Trump about the medication and why he is taking it. To this, Trump responded simply by saying that "he has been receiving a positive call about it."
For those unaware, hydroxychloroquine, or commonly called HCQ is a prescription drug that can treat and prevent malaria. It can also treat lupus and arthritis. However, it not a cure for coronavirus as the FDA had declared. However, the president has been insisting that affected people start taking it. Quoting him, Kimmel joked about how Trump might be trying to kill himself by taking medication that is not even clinically proven.
Typically, viewers found Kimmel’s jokes and one-liners hilarious but in this particular instance, they were not very pleased. They took to Twitter and shared their disappointment. Supporters of Trump or not, jokes on suicide and wanting someone dead did not resonate well with the audience. One viewer commented on how the concept of suicide shouldn’t be taken casually. "Seriously Jimmy Kimmel? 'I think he's trying to kill himself'. That's not funny. I don't care if you don't care for Trump as a president or not. Suicide is not a joke. #JimmyKimmel #JimmyKimmelLiveFromHisHouse."
Another viewer added, "Watching #JimmyKimmelLiveFromHisHouse monologue, and he really wants Trump dead. Sickening. #JimmyKimmelLive #ABC." While pointing out what the drug could do and why it was disapproved, Kimmel listed out the side effects of hydroxychloroquine on screen, as cited by Mayo Clinic. To this, a viewer commented, "Dumbass read the side effects of any drug and you wouldn't take it. He is under doctor's care. Now I know why I don't watch your show because you just a dumbass! #JimmyKimmelLiveFromHisHouse."
'Jimmy Kimmel Live' now airs every weeknight at 11.35 pm directly from his home.