Jimmy Kimmel knows why Trump was hugging that flag at CPAC
"Our president kept the crowd very warm at CPAC over the weekend," Jimmy Kimmel said on Monday's Kimmel Live. "CPAC, if you're not familiar, is basically what would happen if Judge Jeanine Pirro headlined the Fyre Festival — it's a lot of very angry white people. It is the largest gathering of people who believe vaccines are witchcraft in the world. And for two hours and two minutes, Donald Trump gave what I believe we may look back on as his 'I Have a Dream' speech."
"Trump went to one of his signature moves to start it, and I know there's a lot of competition, but this, I think, this might be the dumbest thing he does," Kimmel said, showing Trump's embrace the American flag. "Donald Trump shows more affection to flags than Eric and Don Jr. have ever gotten in their whole lives."
But like everything else with Trump, "there's always an angle," Kimmel joked. "Trump isn't just pandering to his base. The reason he's a flag-hugger is because that happens to be one of his most lucrative money moves." The Franklin Mint ad Kimmel's team threw together is sadly plausible.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"The speech he gave, it covered every subject imaginable," Kimmel said. "At one point during the two-hour Don-alogue, Trump mentioned that he was speaking 'off-script,' like we didn't know that. Because if this was a script, it must have been written for Joe Pesci. ... He told jokes, he played characters, he cursed — all he needs is a few stories about growing up in the old neighborhood. This could be a Broadway show."
Kimmel also ran through some of the eye-popping allegations in a "new, new bombshell report from The New Yorker," including that Trump pressured the Justice Department to block AT&T's acquisition of Time Warner to hurt CNN, as well as the various forms of preferential treatment Fox News has given to Trump. Watch below. Peter Weber
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'Election Day. Finally.'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Incendiary device plot: Russia's 'rehearsals' for attacks on transatlantic flights
The Explainer Security officials warn of widespread Moscow-backed 'sabotage campaign' in retaliation for continued Western support for Ukraine
By The Week UK Published
-
Outer Hebrides: a top travel destination
The Week Recommends Discover 'unspoiled beauty' of the Western Isles
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published