Jimmy Kimmel Reveals His Theory On What Trump 'Secretly' Thinks Of 1 Key Nominee

Ed Mazza

Updated 30 January 2025 at 8:33 am·1-min read

Jimmy Kimmel said Wednesday’s Senate confirmation hearings didn’t go so well for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is President Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of Health and Human Services.

But that may be just how the president wants it.

“I have a theory,” Kimmel said. “I think Trump is secretly hoping the Senate doesn’t approve RFK. I think Trump thinks he’s nuts, but he promised him this job to get his endorsement.”

Kennedy ran first for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination, then as an independent candidate, then ultimately endorsed Trump.

Now, Kimmel said, Trump is making good on a promise used to lure Kennedy to his side ― but doesn’t actually want him in charge of HHS.

“If the Senate says no, he’ll be like, ‘Oh well, I tried ― on to Dr. Oz,’” Kimmel said.

See more in his Wednesday night monologue:

Cover Media
Ringo Starr admits he's never eaten pizza
During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday night, host Jimmy asked the music icon to clear up some long-standing rumours about himself, starting with the claim that he had never eaten a slice of pizza. "I've never had a pizza... or a curry," he declared, as the audience fell silent. "I'm allergic to several items," the drummer continued. "With pizza, you don't know what you're putting in it half the time. Or the curry. So, I'm pretty strict with myself since it makes me ill immediately."
Yahoo Finance Video
Trump's commerce secretary pick grilled on tariffs
President Donald Trump's commerce secretary nominee, Howard Lutnick, say he prefers "across-the-board" tariffs at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee Yahoo Finance Washington Correspondent Ben Werschkul joins Market Domination to outline his takeaways from Lutnick's questioning by US lawmakers and President Trump's own commentary around his looming tariffs. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Domination here. This post was written by Naomi Buchanan.
HuffPost
'What?!' Ringo Starr Stuns Audience With Shocking Food Confession
"Wow, I used to think you had the greatest life, and now I realize mine is better," Jimmy Kimmel told the ex-Beatle in response.
The Independent
Trump doubles down on $50 million condoms for Gaza claim — but the details are murky
The Trump administration clarified the claim on Wednesday, saying the $50 million was part of a broader aid package
The Daily Beast
Trump Lackeys Turn D.C. Crash Presser Into Kiss-Up Session
Donald Trump’s administration—including Pete Hegseth and Sean Duffy—rushed up to the podium to flatter the president after he used a press conference on the deadly D.C. plane crash to blame diversity hires. In his first press conference in the White House briefing room since returning to office, Trump invited his newly sworn-in Cabinet members up to the podium to address the crash Wednesday that killed three military members on a Black Hawk helicopter and 64 people aboard an American Airlines fl
BuzzFeed
"He Was Entitled Back Then, Too": People Who Knew Famous People Before They Hit It Big Are Sharing What They Remember
"He was the most popular kid in school — but he was also super nice and a genuinely good guy. I'm really happy to see him have so much success."
Parade
Vogue Slams Melania Trump’s Official Portrait Saying She Looks Like 'Freelance Magician'
Fans and critics were divided on the black-and-white photo.
Australian Associated Press
Wardlaw out for months in Kangaroos injury blow
North Melbourne will be without George Wardlaw for at least the opening month of the 2025 AFL season after the young star sustained a serious hamstring injury.
The Daily Beast
Opinion: Why This One Trump Move Proves He’s Just a Petulant Man-Child
It’s week two of round two and we’re off to a rocky start. Lest President Trump’s faithful grow restless at the early slew of executive orders that did nothing to increase prosperity for the economically anxious, fear not: our invasion of Greenland is just around the corner, and nothing boosts federal spending like a shooting war. Thankfully, as they limber up for our potential conflict against a NATO ally, our military will now be safe from the bane of transgender soldiers honorably performing
Evening Standard
Justin Bieber sparks concern as he steps out in NYC amid marriage woes claims
The star was pictured on Wednesday in New York without wife Hailey Bieber
Variety
Caroline Kennedy Slams RFK Jr. as ‘Predator’ and ‘Unqualified’ to Serve as Health Secretary
Caroline Kennedy wrote a letter to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions strongly discouraging them from confirming her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary. Robert will be questioned by senators this week before being confirmed to President Donald Trump’s cabinet. “Overseeing the FDA, the …
The Daily Beast
Vogue Mocks Melania’s White House Portrait With Scathing Review: ‘Freelance Magician’
Vogue gave a blistering review of Melania Trump’s official White House portrait, calling it “boardroom pastiche” that makes her look like a “freelance magician.” The piece threatens to reignite a feud between the magazine and the former model, who was snubbed from appearing on Vogue’s cover during her first stint as first lady, spurning a long-running tradition. Released Monday, the black-and-white photo shows Melania leaning toward the camera, her hands perched on a reflective black desk in fro
The Daily Beast
Fox Host Delivers Reality Check About Trump’s Rough Start
Fox News co-host Jessica Tarlov criticized the lack of competent leadership shown by the White House amid its confusing, legally murky actions, saying the rollout of Donald Trump’s agenda has been “complete chaos” and “is not being managed in any sort of orderly fashion at all.” On Wednesday’s broadcast of The Five, Tarlov reacted to the whiplash-inducing events over the last few days, which saw the administration earlier Wednesday ultimately reverse course by rescinding its order freezing feder
BuzzFeed
Caroline Kennedy Claimed RFK Jr. Is A "Predator" And Blended Baby Animals Amid His Confirmation For Secretary For Health And Human Services
Caroline Kennedy, a former US ambassador and daughter of John F. Kennedy, claimed her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., was "unqualified" for HHS Secretary and a "predator."
PA Media: Sport
Australia batter Steve Smith passes 10,000 Test runs in opener against Sri Lanka
The 35-year-old, captaining the side in the absence of Pat Cummins, needed just one run in Galle to reach the milestone in Galle.
Time
What to Expect from RFK Jr.’s Confirmation Hearings
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is one of President Donald Trump's more controversial Cabinet nominees.
Simply Wall St.
At AU$2.10, Is Retail Food Group Limited (ASX:RFG) Worth Looking At Closely?
Retail Food Group Limited ( ASX:RFG ), is not the largest company out there, but it saw significant share price...
The Hill
5 takeaways from RFK Jr.’s first Senate hearing
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. went before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday to vie for his confirmation as President Trump’s secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Kennedy is one of Trump’s most controversial nominees. That’s partly because of his highly skeptical attitude toward vaccines and what critics characterize as a fondness for pseudo-scientific conspiracy…
HuffPost
Whoopi Goldberg Schools Trump Press Secretary With A Brutal Lesson On 'Wokeness'
"The View" host said Karoline Leavitt's comments at her first press briefing "really pissed" her off.
The Daily Beast
Trump Fuels Crazy D.C. Plane Crash Theories With Insult to Army Pilots
President Donald Trump had more questions than answers in his first social post following a mid-air collision between a passenger plane and a Black Hawk helicopter Wednesday night outside of Washington, D.C. The president had earlier confirmed via the White House that he been briefed on the situation, which saw a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collide with American Eagle Flight 5342, sending both careening into the frigid waters of the Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport. Thou

Latest stories