A MAGA influencer has attempted to start a literal witch hunt, suggesting that late-night host Jimmy Kimmel possesses supernatural abilities. Benny Johnson, a prominent podcaster in conservative circles, took to X on Sunday to imply that Kimmel either predicted or had some involvement in the health decline of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
A spokesperson for Giuliani confirmed on Sunday that the former attorney for President Donald Trump had been hospitalized with pneumonia and was in critical but stable condition. This announcement came shortly after Kimmel made a joke about Giuliani on his show, which Johnson seized upon as evidence of clairvoyance.
The controversy surrounding Kimmel and the MAGA world began earlier last week when the comedian made a quip about First Lady Melania Trump during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. Kimmel remarked that she had 'a glow like an expectant widow,' which drew sharp criticism from both the first lady and President Trump. Trump called for Kimmel to be fired, alleging that the joke was a 'call to violence.'
Johnson's post on X read: 'After making Trump assassination jokes, Jimmy Kimmel joked about Rudy Giuliani last week, saying he rose from the grave. It was just announced tonight that Rudy was hospitalized and is in critical condition. Why is Kimmel always joking about death?' He also shared a video of Kimmel's monologue from Tuesday, in which the host played a clip of Giuliani calling him 'one of the most distasteful human beings in this country' for the joke about the first lady.
While some Trump supporters embraced Johnson's conspiracy theory to express their disdain for Kimmel, many critics were quick to dismiss the notion that the comedian is an oracle. Social media users responded with skepticism, with comments such as: 'I didn't know you credited Jimmy with such paranormal foresight. You're a fucking loon, Benny,' and 'So you believe Jimmy knew Rudy would be hospitalized because he can predict the future? That's a pretty ridiculous comment to make.'
Others questioned the logic behind the accusation, asking, 'Why are you trying to blame Kimmel for Rudy going into the hospital last night for a joke he told a week ago?' and 'So Jimmy can see into the future? There were no assassination jokes ... get on with your life.'
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between the entertainment industry and political figures, as well as the tendency for online influencers to amplify baseless claims for engagement.
