In a provocative move during his Thursday night monologue, Jimmy Kimmel called on his audience to help "honor" former President Donald Trump by renaming a widely discussed set of documents. Instead of referring to the files associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as "the Epstein files," Kimmel proposed that everyone start calling them the "Trump-Epstein files." This suggestion came after he highlighted comments from Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who claimed to have searched the unredacted files accessible to members of Congress.
Kimmel's Rationale for the Name Change
Kimmel emphasized that Trump's name is mentioned more than a million times in these documents, according to Raskin's findings. The congressman reportedly searched for terms like "Don," "Donald," and "Trump" and received over a million results. This revelation prompted Kimmel to advocate for the rebranding, with the phrase "Trump-Epstein files" displayed prominently on screen each time he mentioned it during the show.
Connecting to Trump's Naming Obsession
The late-night host linked his proposal to Trump's well-documented desire to have his name attached to various landmarks and institutions. Kimmel noted that Trump has attempted to add his name to places such as the Kennedy Center and reportedly wants it on Penn Station and Dulles Airport. "If that's the way to keep him happy, why, I have another suggestion for something we could name after him," Kimmel said, adding that this particular item is something everyone is talking about and that Trump "actually, unlike most everything else he wants named after him, deserves to be a part of."
Encouraging Public Participation
Kimmel announced that he is pursuing a trademark for the term "Trump-Epstein files" but encouraged viewers to spread the phrase freely. "We're getting that trademarked," he stated. "But you can spread it around. Feel free." This effort builds on his earlier comments this week, where he pointed out Trump's obsession with branding and suggested that the files represent a fitting legacy due to the high frequency of Trump's name in the documents.
The monologue has sparked discussions online, with many viewers reacting to the satirical yet pointed critique of Trump's involvement and the ongoing scrutiny of the Epstein case. Kimmel's blend of humor and political commentary continues to draw attention to controversial topics, making this segment a notable moment in late-night television.
