Jimmy Kimmel says he has obtained Italian citizenship and used a recent podcast appearance to voice fresh concerns about President Donald Trump’s second term.
Speaking on Sarah Silverman’s podcast, the 57-year-old late-night host — long a vocal Trump critic — confirmed he holds Italian citizenship after Silverman noted that many Americans who disapprove of the president have explored other citizenship options. “I do have… I did get Italian citizenship,” Kimmel said. He added that the situation under Trump has “been so much worse” than many expected and described current developments as “unbelievable.”
Kimmel also addressed the difficult position of people who supported Trump in the past but are now reconsidering. Quoting clips of other public figures, he said he does not endorse shaming those who change their minds: “I think the door needs to stay open. If you want to change your mind, that’s so hard to do. If you want to admit you were wrong, that’s so hard and so rare to do. You are welcome.”
The conversation referenced Joe Rogan’s recent criticism of Trump administration deportation actions. Rogan, who had previously expressed support for Trump, said in April he was alarmed by reports that non-criminals were being detained and deported amid enforcement actions against criminal gangs — a move he called “horrific.”
Meanwhile, Trump has continued to target late-night hosts. At a press conference last week he doubled down on comments suggesting entertainers like Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon could lose their shows, dismissing Stephen Colbert, Fallon and Kimmel as having “no talent” and saying networks may be moving away from anti-Trump comedy. The administration’s recent media shifts have fueled debate about the relationship between politics, media executives and free expression.
Additional comments and context
– Public figures seeking dual citizenship is usually a personal or practical choice and does not necessarily signal intentions to leave the U.S.; it can reflect family heritage, professional flexibility, or contingency planning.
– Kimmel’s remarks highlight a broader cultural dynamic: shifting political allegiances, public figures revising earlier endorsements, and the tensions that creates among audiences and commentators.
– Trump’s attacks on late-night hosts reflect a continuing pattern of public confrontation with critics in entertainment and journalism; how networks respond will affect the landscape of political satire and commentary.
Summary
Jimmy Kimmel confirmed he has Italian citizenship and warned that Trump’s second term is “so much worse” than many anticipated. On Sarah Silverman’s podcast he urged openness toward people who change their political views, referenced Joe Rogan’s recent criticism of deportation actions, and appeared amid renewed attacks from Trump on late-night hosts.
A hopeful note
Even in polarized times, Kimmel’s call to keep the door open to people who change their minds points toward a small but constructive approach: encouraging dialogue and allowing room for reconsideration can help reduce rhetoric and foster more pragmatic conversations. Providing space for people to publicly revise their views without permanent shaming could ease political rancor and open paths to common ground.