Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel made an emotional return to his show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, with his infant son Billy in his arms. In a powerful monologue, Kimmel addressed his critics and labelled attempts by some to silence his political opinions as “anti-American.” His return followed a week-long break for his son’s second heart surgery.
Key Takeaways
- Jimmy Kimmel returned to his show holding his son, Billy, who recently had heart surgery.
- He became emotional while thanking the doctors and talking about his family’s experience.
- Kimmel strongly criticized politicians and media figures who told him to stay out of politics.
- He stated that citizens speaking out is a fundamental American right and trying to stop them is “anti-American”.
Kimmel, primarily known for his comedy, became a prominent voice in the American healthcare debate earlier in the year. His involvement started after he shared the story of his son Billy’s birth with a congenital heart defect. The experience made him an advocate for affordable healthcare for all children, regardless of their parents’ income. This personal story led him to publicly criticize Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a major US healthcare law.
During his monologue, Kimmel specifically addressed criticism he received for using his platform to discuss politics. He was visibly moved as he spoke about Billy’s successful surgery before turning his attention to his critics. He argued that his critics, some of whom are in media and politics, suggested he was unqualified to talk about such serious issues.
Kimmel countered this by saying that before he was a talk show host, he was a citizen. He declared that people in the United States have a right to express their opinions, especially on matters that affect their families and communities. “This is not a football game,” Kimmel said, referring to political debates. He asserted that telling fellow citizens to be quiet about important issues goes against the core principles of the country. He called such attempts to silence dissent “anti-American.” The studio audience responded with loud applause and support.
Kimmel’s personal journey with his son’s health has connected with many people. His monologues on healthcare have been widely viewed and shared, bringing a new level of attention to the complex political issue. His direct and emotional approach has made the debate more personal for millions of viewers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is Jimmy Kimmel?
A: Jimmy Kimmel is a popular American television host, comedian, and producer. He is best known as the host of the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! which has been on the air since 2003.
Q2: Why did Jimmy Kimmel start talk about healthcare?
A: Jimmy Kimmel became a vocal advocate for healthcare after his newborn son, Billy, was diagnosed with a serious heart condition that required immediate surgery. He used his show to share his family’s experience and to argue for laws that ensure all American children can get affordable medical care.
Q3: What was the healthcare bill Jimmy Kimmel spoke against?
A: Kimmel was a strong critic of the Graham-Cassidy bill, a Republican proposal to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). He argued that the bill would remove protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions, like his son, and could make healthcare unaffordable for many families.
Q4: What is the “Kimmel Test”?
A: The “Kimmel Test” is a term that became popular after Senator Bill Cassidy said that any new healthcare bill should pass the “Jimmy Kimmel Test.” This meant that no family should be denied medical care, especially life-saving care for a child, because they can’t afford it. Kimmel later criticized Cassidy, saying his proposed bill failed this very test.
