Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is facing criticism after a segment on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” featuring UCLA’s national champion women’s basketball team turned political, drawing reactions from viewers who said the moment shifted away from the team’s accomplishment, as reported by Fox News.
The interview aired Tuesday and included players Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, Angela Dugalić, along with head coach Cori Close.
The group appeared on the program following UCLA’s national championship victory, the first in the program’s history.
During the discussion, Kimmel referenced a congratulatory social media post from former President Barack Obama before asking whether President Donald Trump had reached out to the team.
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The players responded “no” when asked if Trump had contacted them.
Kimmel then continued with a segment that centered on a potential White House visit. “I'm sure you know he's busy. Um he's in two weeks you'll hear from him,” Kimmel said.
“In the event that you do get invited to the White House and you decide to go to the White House, I have something for you.”
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At that point, Kimmel presented a silver trophy that differed from the NCAA championship trophy displayed on his desk. He instructed the players to take the item with them if they were invited to Washington.
“What I want you to do is bring this fake trophy we've made to the White House. He's not going to know. But when you bring a trophy, he sometimes takes it and keeps it for himself. So, this is for you guys to take to the White House. And then you can say, 'President Trump, we want you to have this.' And he'll be so happy. You'll probably get an endowment and you'll be able to keep the real one,” Kimmel said.
Coach Cori Close laughed during the segment, while players responded with light applause and brief laughter.
The exchange prompted criticism on social media, where some users said the interview had shifted from celebrating the team’s achievement to focusing on politics.
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“Even celebrating their championship, he has to make it about himself and his hatred for Trump. What an a---hole,” one user wrote on X.
Another user questioned the host’s reliance on political commentary, writing, “What will he do when Trump is out of office? Is the show cooked?”
A third user commented, “This is funny, but I dislike that he used them to smite the frump.”
The appearance came shortly after UCLA secured its first women’s basketball national championship. The team defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks, led by head coach Dawn Staley, with a final score of 79-51.
South Carolina had appeared in the national title game for three consecutive seasons and won the championship in 2024.
The interview segment has since circulated online, with viewers continuing to weigh in on whether the moment appropriately highlighted the team’s win or diverted attention to political commentary.
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