What started as a “late-night bit” quickly escalated into a political moment. Jimmy Kimmel’s joke about the upcoming release of the Epstein documents came just as Washington was trying to show unity through the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Trump’s angry post on Truth Social — calling Kimmel “talentless” and ABC “fake” — didn’t just revive their old feud. It showed how fragile that unity actually was and how easily entertainment can clash with political power.

Within days, the conflict grew beyond one comedian and one former president. Trump widened his attacks to other late-night hosts, turning the issue into a broader fight with the media. The tension also spilled into his interactions with ABC journalists, with confrontations in the Oval Office and even on Air Force One, revealing how much the Epstein topic seemed to unsettle him.

ABC fired back with a strong response, portraying Trump’s accusations as “partisan theater” and stressing that the media wasn’t backing down. Their reaction highlighted how the feud had taken on a life of its own, fueled by politics, personality, and a sensitive national topic.

The episode showed how a simple joke could spark a much bigger clash, especially when it involves powerful figures and a highly charged issue.