Late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel dangled his Emmy award in front of Donald Trump like a golden carrot, offering to hand over the coveted trophy if the president would just pull ICE agents out of Minneapolis.
The Fatal Shooting That Ignited Minneapolis
January 7, 2026, became a flashpoint when ICE agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good during an operation in south Minneapolis. The Department of Homeland Security claimed Good attempted to use her vehicle as a weapon, but protesters and critics disputed this narrative. Within hours, demonstrations erupted across the city as residents demanded accountability for what they viewed as another case of federal overreach.
The shooting occurred during Trump’s second-term immigration crackdown, with ICE targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records. Minnesota’s sanctuary policies under Governor Tim Walz had created friction with federal enforcement, setting the stage for this deadly confrontation that would capture national attention.
Kimmel’s Calculated Comedy Counterattack
Rather than let the tragedy fade into news cycle oblivion, Kimmel weaponized his January 12 monologue to challenge Trump’s response. The comedian didn’t just criticize the shooting—he crafted a satirical solution that exposed the administration’s contradictory foreign and domestic policies. His Emmy offer represented more than late-night comedy; it became political theater designed to highlight Trump’s priorities.
Kimmel’s strategy proved particularly sharp because Trump had famously complained for two decades about never winning an Emmy despite multiple nominations for The Apprentice. The comedian understood that offering the very prize Trump coveted most would force the president into an uncomfortable spotlight, especially when tied to a humanitarian crisis in Minneapolis.
Federal Escalation Meets Local Resistance
Instead of de-escalating tensions after the shooting, Trump ordered additional ICE agents to Minneapolis. This decision directly contradicted the wishes of local officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey, who used profanity-laced language to demand federal agents leave his city. The mayor’s response echoed 2020 dynamics when federal forces clashed with local authorities during George Floyd protests.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem doubled down on the administration’s position, labeling critics as “domestic terrorists” and demanding Minnesota honor ICE detainer requests. Her rhetoric transformed peaceful protesters into threats, creating a narrative that justified continued federal presence despite mounting local opposition and Kimmel’s high-profile intervention.
The Iran Connection That Revealed Trump’s Contradictions
Kimmel’s masterstroke came when he suggested redirecting ICE agents from Minneapolis to Iran, where Trump had publicly supported anti-government protesters seeking freedom. This comparison highlighted the administration’s willingness to champion protesters abroad while deploying federal agents against demonstrators at home. The comedian effectively trapped Trump in his own contradictory messaging about protest rights.
The satirical proposal exposed how Trump could simultaneously praise Iranian citizens fighting their government while escalating federal enforcement against Minneapolis residents protesting their government. Kimmel’s Emmy offer provided the perfect vehicle to deliver this critique, knowing Trump’s ego would make the award irresistible even as it highlighted his policy inconsistencies.
Sources:
Jimmy Kimmel suggests Trump send ICE out of Minneapolis and into Iran, says ‘they could help’