A Sarcastic Take on Trump’s Negotiation Skills
Jimmy Kimmel, in his Thursday night monologue, couldn’t resist taking a jab at Donald Trump’s reputation as a master negotiator. With his signature sarcasm, Kimmel remarked, “What a negotiator this Donald Trump is. They haven’t even started talks yet, and Trump has already offered two huge concessions.” The late-night host was referencing recent statements from the Trump administration regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Kimmel’s tone was clear: he finds it baffling that Trump, who often boasts about his deal-making prowess, seems to be giving away significant ground before negotiations have even begun.
Trump’s Concessions on Ukraine’s NATO Membership and Territorial Integrity
Kimmel pointed out two key concessions that the Trump administration has reportedly made. The first is that the U.S. will not support Ukraine’s bid for membership in NATO, a military alliance that has been a point of contention between Russia and the West. The second concession is even more controversial: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has suggested that Ukraine will not be able to reclaim all of the territory seized by Russia. These statements have raised eyebrows, as they seem to undermine Ukraine’s position in any potential negotiations with Russia.
Kimmel’s Quip on Trump’s Bargaining Style
Kimmel couldn’t resist taking a swipe at Trump’s negotiating tactics, which he likened to a fictional dialogue between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Russia is like, ‘Well, you drive a hard bargain, Mr. Trump. Tell you what: throw in everything else we want, and we have a deal,’” Kimmel jokingly imagined. The host’s implication was clear: Trump’s willingness to concede major points upfront suggests a lack of strategic acumen.
A Look Back at Trump’s Business Record
Kimmel also took the opportunity to highlight Trump’s questionable business record, particularly his history with Atlantic City casinos. “It’s honestly amazing the guy only bankrupted three casinos,” Kimmel quipped. While Trump often brags about his business acumen, his foray into the casino industry ended in disaster. As The New York Times reported in 2016, Trump’s Atlantic City casinos went bankrupt multiple times before eventually being sold off or shut down. Kimmel’s jab was a reminder that Trump’s track record as a deal-maker is far from perfect.
Trump and Putin: An Unlikely Duo
Kimmel’s monologue also touched on Trump’s stated desire to work with Putin to end the war in Ukraine. The host compared the unlikely duo to “E. coli and Ex-Lax working together to end diarrhea,” a metaphor that left little to the imagination. The joke, while humorous, underscored the absurdity of Trump partnering with Putin to resolve a conflict in which Russia is the aggressor. Kimmel’s analogy suggested that such a collaboration would be both ineffective and morally questionable.
A Bigger Picture: The Risks of Trump’s Approach
Kimmel’s jokes, while entertaining, also touched on a serious issue: the potential consequences of Trump’s approach to international diplomacy. By seemingly giving away major concessions before negotiations even begin, Trump risks emboldening Russia and undermining Ukraine’s position. The late-night host’s monologue served as a reminder that the stakes of such decisions are incredibly high, and that humor can sometimes be a powerful tool for highlighting the absurdity or danger of a situation.
