Jimmy Kimmel slaps back at Elon Musk: Insufferable nonsense puppet wars begin

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel didn't miss a beat in responding to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who labeled him an "insufferable nonsense propaganda puppet" on X (formerly Twitter).

Musk's criticism followed Kimmel's segment addressing Donald Trump's 2024 Presidential election win, sparking a public showdown between the billionaire and the comedian.

During his Thursday night monologue, Kimmel turned Musk's insult into comedic gold, taking jabs at both Musk and his controversies with a mix of humor and pointed commentary.

On his show, Kimmel opened by recapping the events leading to Musk's tweet. "Last night, I talked about how much I'm going to miss democracy," he said, referencing his reaction to Trump's victory.

"And then, this morning, I got a tweet from the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, who said: 'Kimmel is an insufferable nonsense propaganda puppet.' At least my children like me, you know!"

The jab referred to Musk's estranged relationship with his daughter, Vivian Wilson, who has criticized her father publicly, even calling him a "serial adulterer." Kimmel's dig drew laughter and applause from the audience.

Kimmel leaned into Musk's "propaganda puppet" remark, pointing out the irony of Musk's position.

"The guy who bought a social media platform that literally operates as a propaganda machine is calling me a puppet. Listen, Kermit, you own Twitter-what more do you want?"

To add to the comedic drama, Kimmel unveiled a mock project, showing an image of himself as a literal puppet with the caption: "Insufferable Nonsense Propaganda Puppet." He quipped, "Thanks to Elon, my big reveal is ruined!"

The host also revisited a past statement from Trump about Musk, in which the former president claimed Musk had sought favors during his presidency.

Trump said Musk would have "dropped to his knees and begged." Kimmel added with a grin, "I'm sure his little hand fits perfectly in Trump's sock hole."

Polarizing Monologue Draws Mixed Reactions

The feud comes days after Kimmel's 19-minute anti-Trump monologue, where he pleaded with viewers to reconsider voting for the former president.

While Kimmel admitted his bias, some viewers felt alienated by the lengthy critique, with one writing, "I was on the fence, but since Hollywood elites like Kimmel support Harris, I'll vote Trump."

Others reminisced about the days when late-night hosts focused on humor over politics. "Remember when late-night was about entertainment? Jimmy is just a clown now," one viewer remarked.

This fiery exchange is the latest in a series of cultural and ideological clashes playing out on social media and television.

With Musk and Kimmel both representing polarizing figures in their own spheres, the feud underscores the ongoing tension in the political and cultural landscape. One thing's for certain-neither side is backing down anytime soon.