'Think of the ratings': Jimmy Kimmel makes bold pitch to Trump for joint event appearance

Jimmy Kimmel has made a bold pitch to Donald Trump during the opening monologue of his talk show.

The 58-year-old comedian, who has faced off with the president on a number of occasions since Trump took office, has spoken directly to the 47th POTUS and suggested they have dinner together. Trump earlier this week confirmed he would attend the White House Correspondents Dinner, a gathering he has refused to attend in the past.

Kimmel pitched himself as the host of the dinner, though it does not appear likely that the president will accept his request. The talk show host said, "You know the dinner is usually hosted by a comedian. Al Franken hosted it, Ray Romano, Seth Meyers, Jon Stewart, Conan, Wanda Sykes - I Googled it this morning, turns out I even hosted it back in 2012.

"This year, I guess Trump didn't want to be made fun of by a comedian, so the host is a mentalist. We'll have a mentalist and a mental case on stage together." Oz Pearlman has been confirmed as the host of the White House Correspondents Dinner for 2026.

Kimmel did not appear moved by the decision to hire Pearlman as host, and instead offered his services as an entertainer for the night.

Looking down the barrel of the camera, he said, "This feels like a cop out to me, and I want to address the president directly on this. Mr. President, please, let me host this dinner. I've never asked you for anything.

"Can you imagine? You, me, the commissioner of the FCC [Federal Communications Commission], all at a table together? Think of the ratings. I'll even throw in an award. You like awards. I'll give you a brand new award. The Corresponding.

"No one will ever get it besides you. Please, give the people what they want for once. This is our destiny together, you and me, let's make it the greatest, hottest, most spectacular dinner of any kind ever."