Jimmy Kimmel responds to Ted Cruz calling him 'unfunny'
A public spat has unfolded between late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and Senator Ted Cruz. The exchange began after Cruz criticised Kimmel during a Senate hearing on Wednesday. The Republican lawmaker called the comedian 'unfunny' while questioning FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.
Kimmel later responded in a clip, addressing Cruz’s remarks with a mix of humour and defence.
The dispute started during a Senate committee session on 17 December 2025. Cruz was questioning FCC Chairman Brendan Carr about earlier threats made to ABC, the network airing Kimmel’s show. The senator accused Carr of using 'Goodfellas'-style mob tactics in a September comment, pressuring Disney to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
While criticising Carr’s approach, Cruz also took aim at Kimmel himself. He labelled the host as 'angry, overtly partisan, and profoundly unfunny'. The remarks came as part of broader criticism of what Cruz described as political bias in late-night television.
Kimmel addressed the comments in a recorded response. He joked that being called 'profoundly unfunny' had hurt his feelings. Surprisingly, he also defended Cruz’s own sense of humour, saying he personally found the senator funny.
Cruz’s latest stance contrasts with his earlier praise for Carr. Despite criticising the FCC chairman’s methods, he had previously commended Carr’s overall work during the same hearing.
The back-and-forth highlights ongoing tensions between politicians and media figures. Cruz’s criticism of Kimmel ties into broader debates about political influence in entertainment. Meanwhile, Kimmel’s light-hearted reply keeps the focus on humour—even when directed at himself.
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