Jimmy Kimmel Knows Why Trump Won’t Claim JD Vance as His Successor

Jimmy Kimmel has a theory for why President Donald Trump seems reluctant to name JD Vance as his MAGA heir apparent.

"Bret Baier asked Trump what is a pretty simple question, a layup regarding his running mate, JD Vance," Kimmel said, playing a clip of Baier asking if Trump sees Vance as his successor during a Fox News interview.

Trump responded, “No. But he’s very capable... You know, I think you have a lot of very capable people.”

“That is colder than Melania’s side of the bed,” Kimmel replied. He added that Trump should at least “pretend to think about it for a minute.”

Kimmel explained, “The only job the vice president has is to be the president’s successor, but Trump is definitely thinking about a third term. He might even be thinking about a fourth term right now.“

Kimmel added, “Vance has been far away in Paris for the past couple of days... I thought it might be interesting to check in and see how it’s going.”

He began a video conference with Haley Joel Osment, who was reprising the Vance impression he first debuted back in September 2024.

When Kimmel explained how Trump didn’t name Vance as his successor, Osment’s Vance cried out in anguish before replying, “It’s fine. I’m sure he’s right. He’s always right.”

Kimmel also covered Elon Musk’s recent press conference in the Oval Office, where he brought his child along without his ex-wife’s knowledge or approval.

“As you can see, Trump was super excited to have the kid there,“ said Kimmel. He showed a clip of Trump looking grumpy at the presser.

“So much warmth, you know? It’s like a grandfather,” Kimmel joked. “And look at Trump’s orange, angry face next to sheet-white Elon Musk. It’s like a Q-tip next to a traffic cone.”

“So then, the kid’s, you know, he’s being a kid, and he starts picking his nose,” Kimmel said, showing the clip.

“Well, I hope you find some government waste in there,” Kimmel said to Musk’s 4-year-old son. “Don’t get it on the Diet Coke button.”