Jimmy Kimmel mocks Donald Trump over Epstein statue amid US government shutdown

Jimmy Kimmel ended his Brooklyn shows by mocking Donald Trump and referencing the Epstein statue controversy

Jimmy Kimmel concluded his week of Brooklyn shows on Friday with remarks aimed at President Donald Trump, referencing both the government shutdown and Trump’s past connection to Jeffrey Epstein.

“I wonder which will get released first, Diddy or the Epstein files,” Kimmel said, the same day music producer Sean Combs was sentenced to four years in prison.

The comedian joked about the ongoing attention surrounding Trump and his administration, saying the former president “is said to be happy” about the shutdown’s media coverage for drawing attention away from his administration’s history involving the late convicted sex offender.

Kimmel then addressed the recent return of a statue depicting Trump and Epstein to the National Mall, after the U.S. Park Police had reportedly removed it the previous week. The artwork, titled “Best Friends Forever,” shows the two figures holding hands near the U.S. Capitol.

“A beautiful piece of art,” Kimmel said while describing the photo, adding that it portrayed the pair “prancing playfully as the sun goes down” in Washington, D.C. He ended the segment with a tongue-in-cheek remark: “A pal is a wonderful thing.”

The monologue also featured a surprise appearance by actor Matt Damon, continuing the long-running comedic rivalry between the two.

Kimmel’s comments came during heightened political tension as the U.S. government shutdown entered another day, with both parties yet to reach a funding agreement.