Jimmy Kimmel’s Escape Plan? Italian Citizenship, Trump Feud, and Rumors of a Late-Night Exodus”

By [Your Name] — Entertainment & Politics Exclusive

It started as an offhand remark on The Sarah Silverman Podcast. It ended up sounding like a warning shot to the entire American media industry.

Jimmy Kimmel — the sharp-tongued host of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! and one of Donald Trump’s most consistent late-night critics — has confirmed he’s now an Italian citizen. And while he didn’t outright say he’s leaving the United States, the timing of his revelation — just days after Trump suggested Kimmel would be “next” to lose his job — has the internet buzzing with speculation.

Trump’s “Hit List” for Late-Night TV

The feud between Kimmel and Trump is nothing new. For years, the 57-year-old comedian has roasted the former president in opening monologues, award-show appearances, and biting Instagram posts. He’s called Trump everything from “Commander-In-Thief” to “The Shart of the Deal”.

But this latest escalation began when CBS announced it was ending The Late Show with Stephen Colbert — another vocal Trump critic. At a press conference, Trump gloated about Colbert’s cancellation and then pivoted to his other late-night nemeses:

“Fallon has no talent. Kimmel has no talent. They’re next. They’re going to be going. I hear they’re going to be going… Colbert has better ratings than Kimmel or Fallon.”

Trump then doubled down on Truth Social, writing:

“Next up will be an even less talented Jimmy Kimmel, and then, a weak, and very insecure, Jimmy Fallon. The only real question is, who will go first?”

Kimmel’s Italian Citizenship Reveal

Just days later, on Silverman’s podcast, Kimmel casually dropped the bomb:

“I did get Italian citizenship… I did get that.”

Italian news agency ANSA later confirmed Kimmel had officially obtained it this year, proving his ancestral lineage.

Why now? Kimmel didn’t say outright that Trump’s comments pushed him toward the decision, but he admitted he’s seriously considering a move to Europe — something several other celebrities have already done.

“What’s going on is… as bad as you thought it was gonna be, it’s so much worse. It’s just unbelievable. I feel like it’s probably even worse than [Trump] would like it to be.”

The Celebrity Exodus

Kimmel’s remark echoes a growing trend among high-profile Americans — particularly outspoken liberal entertainers — who have pursued dual citizenship or moved abroad entirely.

Rosie O’Donnell left for Ireland after Trump’s re-election and recently warned that ABC’s The View could be axed for “liberal bias.” Ellen DeGeneres and other A-listers have reportedly explored similar escape routes.

The reasoning is part personal safety, part career survival: Trump’s open hostility toward certain media figures has made them targets, both online and in the political arena.

A 22-Year Late-Night Reign at Risk

Kimmel has been hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003 — an impressive 22-year run. His current contract runs through 2026, but Trump’s comments have fueled rumors that political pressure could lead to an earlier exit.

The talk show landscape has already been shaken: Colbert’s departure from CBS, rumors about Howard Stern’s SiriusXM show being on the chopping block, and whispers of “bias reviews” at ABC have created an atmosphere of uncertainty.

One former network executive told me:

“When a sitting or former president starts naming names like this, it’s not just bluster. There are boardrooms where those names get discussed, and not in a flattering way.”

Clapping Back with Humor — and Venom

True to form, Kimmel hasn’t taken the attacks lying down. He responded to Trump’s comments with an Instagram post referencing the former president’s ties to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein:

“I’m hearing you’re next. Or maybe it’s just another wonderful secret.”

It was a pointed nod to a letter allegedly linked to Trump that expressed the hope “every day be another wonderful secret” — a letter Trump has denied writing.

The dig instantly went viral, with fans praising Kimmel for going toe-to-toe with Trump’s rhetoric.

No Hard Feelings for MAGA Defectors

In the same podcast appearance, Kimmel struck a surprising note of grace toward former Trump supporters now expressing regret:

“I think the door needs to stay open. If you want to change your mind, that’s so hard to do… You are welcome.”

It’s a sentiment rarely heard in the polarized political climate — and one that may help explain Kimmel’s enduring fanbase despite the backlash.

Is This the Beginning of the End for Late-Night as We Know It?

With Colbert’s exit, Fallon under fire, and Kimmel openly weighing a European move, many wonder if the era of politically charged late-night comedy is coming to a close in America.

Media analyst Paula Jennings believes the stakes are higher than just ratings:

“Late-night has become a political battlefield. Removing its loudest anti-Trump voices would shift the cultural conversation dramatically, especially in an election cycle. The question is whether networks will cave to political pressure or double down.”

The Italy Angle

If Kimmel were to relocate, Italy wouldn’t just be an escape — it would be a symbolic choice. The country has a long tradition of granting citizenship through ancestry, and Italian media tends to be more fragmented, making political targeting harder to centralize.

It’s also a strategic move for a media figure: European broadcasting laws are different, and being based abroad could give Kimmel new freedoms to speak out without as much fear of career retaliation from U.S. networks.

The Waiting Game

For now, Kimmel is still on air, still cracking jokes at Trump’s expense, and still publicly shrugging off speculation about his future. But behind the scenes, multiple sources say ABC is quietly reviewing its late-night strategy — especially in light of the Colbert shake-up.

Whether Kimmel ultimately stays in Hollywood or makes the leap to Europe, one thing is certain: his feud with Trump isn’t cooling off anytime soon. And if the late-night host does leave, it could mark the end of an era — and the beginning of an entirely new media war.