ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! has revived its recurring “Drag Queen Storytime” segment where a drag performer in a dress and make up sits with a group of children to read them excerpts from conservative books and mock them. This time, performer Trixie Mattel, a biological male dressed as a woman, read excerpts from Under Siege: My Family’s Fight to Save Our Nation, a newly released memoir by Eric Trump, to a group of children on national television.
Segment Overview
The episode aired Wednesday, October 15th, marking the show’s first “Drag Queen Storytime” since Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned to air earlier this fall. Kimmel’s previous season had faced controversy and a brief cancellation following his false on-air claim linking the alleged assassin of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk to conservative supporters of President Trump.
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Dressed in women’s clothing and full makeup, Mattel opened the segment by greeting the assembled children and asking, “Do I scare any of you?” The children answered, “No,” with one adding, “You just look amazing. Why would that be scary?”
“That is so affirming, thank you so much. You guys look amazing, too,” Mattel replied before turning to a stack of books and telling the group, “Because this is, after all, a democracy. As of this morning, it’s still a democracy. I’m not sure.”
Reading Choices and Dialogue
Among the books presented were Who Cares About Elderly People?, Collectable Spoons of the Third R**ch, and Eric Trump’s Under Siege. When asked if they would prefer “a book by President Trump,” the children responded in unison, “No.” Mattel then suggested reading one written by “President Trump’s least favorite son.”
Drag performer reads to kids on Jimmy Kimmel Live! – YouTube, Unknown Video
Mattel began reading a passage that stated: “Donald Trump is certainly unconventional, he’s certainly not politically correct. He also has a heart of gold, and is the greatest father a son or daughter could ever have.”
A child quickly interrupted, saying, “Okay, I’m gonna stop you there. Instead of skipping this page, we should skip the entire book.” Another added, “Can we skip the storytime and just go straight to lunch?”
Closing Segment
The segment concluded outside the studio, where Mattel brought the children to participate in what was described as a “special science experiment.” The drag performer then placed a copy of Eric Trump’s memoir into a wood chipper, announcing, “This might not be a great book, but it’s going to make excellent confetti.”
Children being read to by a drag performer on Jimmy Kimmel – YouTube, Unknown Video
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Pieces of shredded paper were shown scattering as Mattel laughed and the children cheered.
Prior Segments and Background
This was not the first time Jimmy Kimmel Live! featured drag performers reading to children. In 2023, the program hosted an earlier “Drag Queen Storytime” segment where Mattel read from Senator Ted Cruz’s Unwoke: How to Defeat Cultural Marxism in America.
Drag queen @TrixieMattel reads Ted Cruz’s new book to kids! pic.twitter.com/44cdzyuczn
— Jimmy Kimmel Live (@JimmyKimmelLive) November 10, 2023
The recurring sketch is presented as a comedy bit within Kimmel’s late-night show but has drawn attention for its use of children alongside adult themes and political satire.
Trixie Mattel, whose real name is Brian Firkus, is a well-known entertainer, musician, and past winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. The performer frequently appears on television and tours internationally.
Public Response
As of publication, ABC and Jimmy Kimmel Live! have not issued any official statements addressing public reactions to the segment.
Kids with a drag performer on Jimmy Kimmel Live! – YouTube, Unknown Video
Clips from the show have circulated widely on social media platforms, where debate continues over the inclusion of minors in skits involving drag performers and politically charged content on Disney-owned TV.
How do you feel about Jimmy Kimmel doing segments with a drag queen and children on Disney TV? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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