Stephen Colbert, Robert De Niro, and Now Jimmy Kimmel: When Late-Night Comedy Turns to Firepower

Kimmel Fires Up the Feud Machine Again — This Time, It’s Ted Cruz

Just when the political world was still reeling from Stephen Colbert’s explosive monologues and Robert De Niro’s scorching critique of Stephen Miller, another late-night titan reignited his own long-running rivalry. Jimmy Kimmel, returning to Jimmy Kimmel Live! after a temporary hiatus, wasted no time aiming his sights squarely at Texas Senator Ted Cruz — and the burn was as brutal as ever.

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this week, Cruz made what can only be described as a jaw-dropping gaffe. In what appeared to be an impassioned plea for bipartisan unity, Cruz misspoke, declaring: “How about we all come together and say, ‘Let’s stop murders’? How about we all come together and say, ‘Let’s stop rape’? How about we all come together and say, ‘Let’s stop attacking pedophiles’?”

Kimmel’s reaction was swift. “I was with you on the first two,” he deadpanned, as his audience erupted in laughter. But the real sting came when he added, “That’s right: some of the president’s best dead friends are pedophiles!” — a razor-sharp dig at Cruz’s vote against releasing the Epstein files.

A Thank You — Then a Roast

What makes this moment even more striking is that just weeks earlier, Kimmel had expressed rare gratitude toward Cruz. After Jimmy Kimmel Live! was pulled from air in mid-September due to alleged pressure from Trump-appointed FCC chairman Brendan Carr, Cruz publicly criticized Carr, calling his actions “dangerous as hell” and comparing them to mafia-style censorship.

In his first episode back, Kimmel acknowledged Cruz’s support. “I don’t think I’ve ever said this before, but Ted Cruz is right,” he said, before offering begrudging praise to other right-wing figures like Ben Shapiro and Candace Owens who defended his right to free speech.

“Even though I don’t agree with many of those people on most subjects, and some of the things they say even make me want to throw up, it takes courage for them to speak out against this administration, and they did, and they deserve credit for it,” Kimmel said.

But as Wednesday night’s monologue made clear, defending free speech does not grant immunity from satire. Kimmel closed his roast with one final gut punch: “And then Ted caught the next flight to Cancun,” referencing Cruz’s infamous 2021 escape to Mexico during a deadly winter storm that crippled Texas.

Cruz Responds: “Texans Want Results”

The senator was quick to fire back. Taking to social media, Cruz dismissed Kimmel’s segment as elitist performance. “Jimmy Kimmel loves the spotlight, but he’s clearly out of touch with what Texans care about,” he tweeted. “While he’s busy making jokes, my team and I are focused on solving real problems. He can keep the laughs—Texans want results.”

Cruz’s post ignited the usual frenzy online, with supporters praising his focus and critics accusing him of ducking accountability. The viral tweet set the stage for what is likely to be the next chapter in the Cruz-Kimmel saga — a feud now stretching across years and countless zingers.

Comedy as Cultural Combat

Kimmel’s return to targeting Cruz isn’t just about mockery — it reflects a broader trend of late-night hosts stepping deeper into political commentary. Alongside Colbert and De Niro’s headline-grabbing confrontations with the right, Kimmel’s roasting adds to an increasingly visible wave of entertainers who are not merely joking about politics, but actively shaping the discourse around it.

What distinguishes these moments isn’t just their humor — it’s the raw sense of urgency. Whether it’s Colbert speaking out against vaccine cuts, De Niro calling out white nationalist ideology, or Kimmel skewering hypocrisy in real time, the message is clear: the old rules of political neutrality in entertainment are dead.

In their place is something more unpredictable, more confrontational, and — to millions — more honest.

What Happens Next?

With the 2026 election season already taking shape, Cruz is expected to play a central role in shaping GOP messaging. Kimmel, never one to back down, appears equally prepared to keep the spotlight on his longtime nemesis. And if this week is any indication, the gloves are not just off — they’ve been tossed across the stage.

For now, one thing is clear: in the late-night arena, there are no sacred cows. Not even the ones who momentarily defend your right to speak.

And judging by the standing ovations, trending hashtags, and political fallout, the audience isn’t just laughing — they’re paying attention.