President Donald Trump, in a departure from his usual interactions with the press, offered an unexpected farewell to reporters after critiquing late-night television hosts. Following his ongoing dispute with comedian Jimmy Kimmel, Trump told the press pool, “Thank you, everybody. Have a good flight. Fly safely.”
He further remarked, “You know why I say that? Because I’m on the flight. Otherwise, I wouldn’t care.”
While Trump’s supporters interpreted the comment as humorous, it drew criticism as being narcissistic and insensitive.
The president’s remarks came after he continued his social media campaign against Kimmel on his Truth Social platform Thursday evening. He posted footage from the March 2024 Academy Awards, where Kimmel responded to Trump’s criticism during the live broadcast.
Trump shared a clip of Kimmel reading one of his posts while hosting the Oscars, where the then-presidential candidate criticized Kimmel’s performance as that of a “less than average person.” However, Trump’s version cut short Kimmel’s full response, which ended with a pointed reference to Trump’s legal issues.
The president captioned his Truth Social post, claiming Kimmel embarrassed himself during the ceremony. Trump stated that Kimmel’s wife and agent urged him not to respond to the online criticism. He labeled Kimmel as one of the worst hosts in Oscars history and directed followers to view the edited clip.
The edited footage conveniently ended before Kimmel’s complete response, which included thanking Trump for watching and questioning whether it was past his jail time. The full exchange revealed a more pointed response than the version Trump shared.
This social media activity follows ABC’s controversial temporary suspension of Kimmel’s late-night show, which has garnered significant attention across the entertainment industry. The network’s decision has spurred reactions from various media figures and initiated debates about comedy and political commentary on late-night television.
Trump has consistently targeted media figures and comedians throughout his political career, often focusing criticism on television personalities who mock his administration or policies. He frequently uses his social media platforms to respond to perceived slights or criticisms from entertainment figures.
The timing of Trump’s comments coincides with broader tensions between his administration and multiple media outlets. His administration has adopted a more confrontational stance toward press coverage, with officials regularly challenging reporters and news organizations during briefings and public appearances.
The president’s unusual farewell to the press underscores his complex relationship with the media. Despite frequent criticisms of media coverage, Trump regularly engages with reporters and often extends interactions beyond scheduled time limits. His remarks about flight safety represented a rare moment of apparent concern for the press corps’ well-being.
Trump’s focus on late-night comedians suggests his continued interest in how popular culture and entertainment media portray his presidency. He has historically been sensitive to comedic portrayals and often responds directly to jokes or sketches that reference his administration or personal traits.
The ongoing conflict between Trump and Kimmel highlights a broader dynamic between political figures and entertainment personalities. Late-night television has become an increasingly prominent platform for political commentary, resulting in more frequent interactions between hosts and the politicians they discuss.
Trump’s comments to the press pool took place amid ongoing discussions about media access and the relationship between the administration and news organizations. His unusual sign-off suggested a brief departure from his typical adversarial tone toward reporters, despite following criticism of entertainment industry figures.
After discussions between Kimmel and Disney, coupled with significant public support for the comedian, he returned to the air on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. However, several affiliate stations did not broadcast the show. Kimmel expressed defiance following his return.
