In a sharp critique of right-wing media, Jimmy Kimmel has called out what he sees as blatant hypocrisy in their demands for an apology over his comments regarding Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin's previous career as a plumber. Kimmel compared this outrage to the frequent and often derisive remarks made by conservative pundits about Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her past work as a bartender.
Kimmel's Defense and Comparison
During his late-night show, Kimmel stated, "I'm not upset that the head of Homeland Security was a plumber; I'm upset that he isn't still a plumber." He then pointed to the irony in the situation, noting, "The best part of all of this, all the outrage from Finnerty and Hannity and The Five, is that I distinctly remember some very serious concerns resume-wise, when it came to a certain former bartender from New York."
Montage of Right-Wing Criticisms
To illustrate his point, Kimmel played a montage of clips from Fox News and Newsmax, where hosts and commentators repeatedly questioned Ocasio-Cortez's qualifications based on her bartending experience. In one clip, right-wing pundit Benny Johnson remarked on Fox News, "She has no idea where Venezuela is on a map, because they don't teach geography in bartending school." Another clip featured Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) saying on Fox News, "The congresswoman is kinda like Vice President Kamala Harris but with more bartending experience."
It is important to note that Ocasio-Cortez holds two bachelor's degrees—in economics and international relations—from Boston University, as detailed in the biography on her congressional website. This educational background contrasts sharply with the dismissive portrayals in the media clips.
Kimmel's Call for Apology
Addressing the double standard, Kimmel concluded, "Well, on behalf of bartenders everywhere, we anxiously await your apology. You do the bartenders. I'll do the plumbers." Earlier in the week, during Tuesday night's show, he had joked about Mullin's appointment, saying, "We have a plumber protecting us from terrorism now," highlighting the ongoing scrutiny of professional backgrounds in politics.
This incident underscores broader debates about media bias and the selective outrage often seen in political discourse, with Kimmel using humor to challenge perceived inconsistencies in conservative media's treatment of public figures based on their past careers.
