Jimmy Kimmel slams Aaron Rodgers-Epstein feud in monologue

In his first late-night monologue of 2024, Jimmy Kimmel focused on NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a week after their public feud began.

Earlier this month, the New York Jets quarterback suggested during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” that the late-night personality might appear on Jeffrey Epstein's list of accomplices — and that he would celebrate if so. A week and the release of Epstein's list later, that was not the case.

“Of course my name wasn't on it, it never was on it and it never will be on it,” Kimmel said Monday, echoing his initial response to Rodgers' claim. “I don't know Jeffrey Epstein, and I never met Jeffrey Epstein. I'm not on the list, and I've never been on a plane or an island or anything.”

Kimmel told his audience that conspiracy theories about the company he keeps (ahem, “Pizzagate”) He not only hurts himself, but also the people closest to him. He said Rodgers has only caused more damage on that front.

Monday's monologue wasn't the first time Kimmel took shots at the football star. In March 2023, the late-night personality mocked Rodgers' “crazy idea” that reports about UFOs were meant to distract from Epstein's list. Kimmel also previously criticized Rodgers for his controversial comments about the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021.

Kimmel continued: “Aaron Rodgers has a very high opinion of himself, because he has had success on the football field, he believes he is an extraordinary being.” “He honestly believes that because God gave him the ability to throw a ball, he is smarter than everyone else. The idea that his brain is just average is unfathomable to him.

Kimmel's diatribes didn't stop there, as he mocked Rodgers' intelligence (“Aaron got two A's on his report card, both with 'Aaron' in the word”) and his side gigs (“They let him host Jeopardy” for two weeks, and now He knows everything.”

He added: “Aaron Rodgers is too arrogant to know how ignorant he is.”

While Kimmel said he supports athletes expressing their opinions on non-athletic matters, he made clear that “saying someone is a pedophile is not an opinion, nor is it trash talk.” For more than 20 years, the late-night show has had its fair share of snide remarks and scathing comments, but “we don't make up lies,” Kimmel said, giving a loud shout-out to the writers and fact-checkers who help craft each episode. .

The star of the night concluded his remarks about Rodgers, saying he would move on from the drama if the Jets player apologized. However, he acknowledged that this may not be likely.

I think he won't apologize; “I hope I'm wrong,” Kimmel said.

Rodgers is reportedly set to end the feud with an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, where he will address his public feud with Kimmel.

“I'll talk about it [Tuesday] On the show,” he told reporters Monday, according to Newsweek. “Discipline.”