Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is facing mounting criticism after comments he made on Disney-owned ABC about DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s background as a plumber sparked accusations of elitism—remarks that the comedian later attempted to clarify, but never fully walked back.
The controversy began during a recent monologue in which Kimmel mocked Mullin’s resume while discussing President Trump’s cabinet selections.
Jimmy Kimmel is now insulting DHS Sec Markwayne Mullin because he used to work as a plumber.
As if you couldn’t hate elitist Hollywood leftists any morepic.twitter.com/NAa21bgKKR
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 25, 2026
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“Before he was elected to the Senate, Markwayne Mullin was a low-level MMA fighter and a plumber,” Kimmel said. “That’s right. We have a plumber protecting us from terrorism now. It worked for Super Mario. Why not Markwayne?”
He didn’t stop there.
“But honestly — I mean, if Trump is going to keep picking these unqualified people to run the department, why not have more fun with it?” Kimmel added. “I mean, next time instead of Markwayne, how about Lil Wayne for Homeland Security? At least we can get a concert out of it, right?”
Critics Slam “Elite” Tone Targeting Working-Class Jobs
The remarks immediately drew backlash online, with critics arguing that Kimmel wasn’t just targeting Mullin—but mocking working-class professions more broadly.
Sen. Cynthia Lummis called the comments “shameful,” writing that they reflected “the disdain… Hollywood elites have for working class Americans.”
Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert laughing together – YouTube, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Others piled on.
“I prefer plumbers to woke & unfunny comedians,” Sen. Ted Cruz stated.
The underlying criticism was simple: Kimmel’s joke didn’t land because it framed being a plumber—an honest, skilled trade—as somehow disqualifying for entering the upper tiers of government.
And that’s where things began to spiral.
President Trump Fires Back: “He Should Be Canned”
President Trump weighed in shortly after, delivering a blunt response during an appearance on Fox News’ The Five.
“Well, I’ve watched this guy. He’s a loser. He gets no ratings. None. He’s got no talent. He’s got Trump Derangement Syndrome,” Trump said. “He shouldn’t be on the air. He should be canned.”
Jimmy Kimmel shakes hands with Joe Biden – YouTube, Jimmy Kimmel Live!
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At the same time, Trump defended Mullin’s background, highlighting his business success and blue-collar roots.
“He took over a small company from his parents — and he made it very, very successful,” Trump said. “You know, I call him country smart… I think he’s gonna do a fantastic job.”
That contrast—Hollywood mockery versus real-world success—quickly became a central talking point in the backlash.
Kimmel Attempts Cleanup… But Doubles Down
Facing criticism, Kimmel later addressed the controversy on-air. But rather than apologizing, he appeared to reframe—and in some ways reinforce—his original point.
Jimmy Kimmel tried to clean up his comments about Markwayne Mullin being a former plumber, but he tried to have it both ways. First he doubled down ignoring Mullin’s management experience with his plumbing company “[Trump’s] apple polishers are all in a tizzy because I made light… pic.twitter.com/3zqd1AG6r9
— Alex Christy (@alexchristy17) March 27, 2026
“[Trump’s] apple polishers are all in a tizzy because I made light of the fact that his new head of Homeland Security… was a plumber,” Kimmel said. “Which is not necessarily the kind of resume you might hope for… for the person in charge of protecting us from terrorism.”
Then came the line that erased any illusion of a walk-back.
“Let me make this very clear. I’m not upset that the head of Homeland Security used to be a plumber. I’m upset that he isn’t still a plumber, okay?”
Jimmy Kimmel on Colbert – YouTube, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
No apology. No admission of error. No “I got that wrong.”
Instead, Kimmel shifted the argument—claiming the issue was Mullin’s qualifications—while still using his former profession as the punchline yet again.
The Bigger Problem for Late-Night “Comedy”
This isn’t just about one joke.
Kimmel’s comments—and the reaction to them—highlight a growing disconnect between late-night hosts and the audiences they once entertained.
For years, late-night comedy has drifted further into political commentary, often targeting figures and viewpoints outside of Hollywood’s cultural bubble. But in doing so, it has also increasingly alienated viewers who don’t see themselves reflected in that perspective.
Mocking a plumber—whether intentional or not—touches a nerve. Because for millions of Americans, that’s not a joke. That’s their livelihood.
Jimmy Kimmel performing a Monologue on his ABC show – X, @kylenabecker
And when a comedian suggests that background disqualifies someone from leadership, it reinforces exactly the kind of top-down attitude critics say dominates modern entertainment.
Kimmel may insist the issue is about ideas, not professions. But his own words tell a different story. And for many watching, the message came through loud and clear.
Do you think Jimmy Kimmel was out of line with his remarks about Mullin’s past as a plumber? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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He’s on his way out and he knows it, so he’s doubling down on being pure filth.
No one likes politics shows, and that’s what those woke gay saddos make, instead of entertainment.
Why should he try to appeal to a broader audience, dish out equal to all sides, create ratings or, you know, be funny? All he has learned from recent events is that if he stays course, tanking ratings will lead to him writing the next Lord of the Rings movie.