The past few weeks have been nothing short of tragic. The assassination of Charlie Kirk shocked the nation, not just for its violence, but for what it represented. Kirk, whatever one thought of his politics, was exercising his right to free speech. Silencing him was an attack not only on his family, but on democracy itself.
What came after his death was nearly as disturbing. A small number on the left posted gleeful reactions celebrating his passing, while the right retaliated with digital mobs, doxxing critics and working to get them fired. It was cancel culture in reverse, a purge campaign waged by those who usually rail against it.
And then Jimmy Kimmel told a joke.
The Joke That Wasn’t the Joke
When I heard ABC had indefinitely pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! after his monologue about Kirk, I expected the worst. Maybe Kimmel had crossed a clear line. But when I finally watched it, my reaction was simple: is that it?
The butt of the joke wasn’t Kirk. It was Donald Trump. At the White House, after a reporter offered condolences and asked, “How are you holding up?” Trump replied, “I think very good. And by the way, right there you see all the trucks. They just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House, which is something they’ve been trying to get for about 150 years. And it’s going to be a beauty. It’ll be an absolutely magnificent structure.” Kimmel aired the clip and then delivered his punchline — highlighting Trump’s buffoonish insensitivity in the face of tragedy.