Jimmy Kimmel Reveals Italian Citizenship as Trump Feud Fuels Rumors of His Show’s Cancellation

Jimmy Kimmel, the longtime host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, has officially obtained Italian citizenship—and it’s sparked a whirlwind of speculation that he’s preparing for a post-America chapter, especially as political tensions escalate during Donald Trump’s second term in office.

In a candid conversation on The Sarah Silverman Podcast, Kimmel confirmed, “I did get Italian citizenship. I do have that,” responding to Silverman’s musings about where Americans might flee if Trump’s presidency continues on its current trajectory. The conversation quickly shifted to the late-night host’s dissatisfaction with the current political climate. “As bad as you thought it was going to be—it’s so much worse,” he said. “I feel like it’s probably even worse than [Trump] would like it to be.”

Kimmel’s announcement, while not a formal declaration of relocation, served as a symbolic middle finger to Trump’s ongoing taunts—and may also be his insurance policy in case the television tides turn against him.

The Trump-Kimmel Saga Heats Up

The drama between Trump and Kimmel is hardly new. The president has repeatedly taken aim at Kimmel, accusing him of being “talentless” and suggesting his days on ABC are numbered. In a July post on Truth Social, Trump wrote:

“The word is, and it’s a strong word at that, Jimmy Kimmel is NEXT to go in the untalented Late Night Sweepstakes… Fallon will be gone shortly thereafter.”

Trump’s claim followed the announcement that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would end in May 2026. He took credit for Colbert’s downfall and made it clear he wanted Kimmel to be next.

Kimmel, unfazed, responded via Instagram by posting a family photo featuring shirts with anti-Trump slogans like “Make America Good Again” and “Don’t Bend the Knee.” He captioned it with the sarcastic jab, “May every day be another wonderful secret”—a not-so-subtle nod to a phrase Trump allegedly wrote in a letter to Jeffrey Epstein.

Why Italian Citizenship Now?

Kimmel’s move to obtain Italian citizenship seems more personal than political—at least on the surface. He revealed at an event in Los Angeles celebrating Italian Republic Day that his citizenship was granted thanks to his late grandmother Edith, whose family hailed from Candida, a small town in the province of Avellino.

Still, the timing of the announcement and its political backdrop leave little room for coincidence. The United States is becoming an increasingly hostile space for outspoken liberal entertainers, especially those critical of Trump. In response, several celebrities—including Rosie O’Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres—have already packed their bags and permanently relocated after Trump’s reelection in 2024.

Kimmel, it appears, now has his “Plan B.”

The Bigger Trend: Celebrities Plotting Exits

Kimmel’s not alone. In recent months, a small exodus of progressive celebrities has begun to take shape. Rosie O’Donnell moved abroad shortly after the 2024 election. Ellen DeGeneres has also exited, quietly settling outside the U.S. following years of public scrutiny and political division.

What used to be a punchline—“If [insert candidate] wins, I’m moving!”—is slowly becoming a reality for some. While critics dismiss these moves as performative or hypocritical, others view them as acts of protest or self-preservation.

Critics Pile On

The backlash against Kimmel’s announcement was swift and harsh, particularly from conservative commentators and Fox News viewers. On-air personalities like Greg Gutfeld mocked the “tired trope” of celebrities threatening to flee. Commenters on FoxNews.com lit up the thread with sarcasm and disdain:

• “43% tax rate, 22% VAT, and a failed banking system? Great choice, Jimmy. Bye.”
• “He should’ve just crossed the Italian border illegally—wasn’t that his preferred method?”
• “Another grandstanding Hollywood stunt. He’s not going anywhere.”

Many pointed out the irony of moving to Italy, a country currently governed by a right-wing coalition under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Others questioned the practicality of the move, citing Europe’s high taxes, tighter personal freedoms, and lack of American-style convenience.

Is Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Trouble?

So, will Jimmy Kimmel Live! be the next late-night show to go?

As of now, there’s no official confirmation from ABC or Disney that the show is being canceled. While Trump has been gleefully predicting Kimmel’s demise, networks have remained silent. That silence, however, isn’t necessarily meaningful—many believe it’s simply a tactic to avoid fueling the fire.

Still, the late-night landscape is shifting. Viewership for politically charged shows has dropped, and networks are under financial strain. Colbert’s departure, Howard Stern’s possible exit from SiriusXM, and general fatigue with “hate Trump” comedy could all signal a broader pivot in entertainment media.

The Takeaway

Jimmy Kimmel may not be packing his bags for Rome just yet—but his Italian passport suggests he’s not leaving his future to chance. With Trump back in office, late-night hosts under fire, and public discourse more polarized than ever, even America’s top entertainers are considering exit strategies.

Whether Kimmel stays or goes, the message is clear: the cultural fault lines of American politics now extend far beyond Washington—and late-night comedy may never be the same.