Late night host Jimmy Kimmel has fired back at NFL star Aaron Rodgers over his claim that Kimmel would be named on Jeffrey Epstein’s client list, threatening potential legal action for making a “dangerous” and “reckless” accusation.
Rodgers Comments Create Instant Backlash
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show Tuesday, newly signed New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers stated that he expects Jimmy Kimmel’s name to appear on Jeffrey Epstein’s widely speculated client list.
“I think we’re going to see, potentially, the list of one of his clients is going to come out at some point,” Rodgers said. “It’d be interesting to see if Jimmy Kimmel’s name is on there.”
Rodgers provided no evidence to support this claim, which immediately created significant backlash. Kimmel responded the same day on Twitter, quoting Rodgers’ allegation and adding:
“Your reckless words put my family in danger. We will be discussing this further in court.”
Escalating Feud with Background of Bad Blood
Rodgers and Kimmel have openly feuded in the past, with Kimmel frequently mocking the quarterback’s refusal to clarify his COVID-19 vaccination status during his long tenure in Green Bay.
Rodgers even called Kimmel a “jerk” last year on McAfee’s show. Their rivalry now seems to have escalated to making serious accusations and threats of legal recourse.
| Date | Key Event |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Kimmel mocks Rodgers’ unclear vaccination status |
| 2023 | Rodgers calls Kimmel a “jerk” |
| Jan 2, 2024 | Rodgers implies Kimmel associated with Epstein |
| Jan 2, 2024 | Kimmel threatens lawsuit over “reckless words” |
Kimmel Fires Back Forcefully on Social Media
In addition to his tweet threatening court action, Kimmel slammed Rodgers in an Instagram post:
“I woke up to news that Aaron Rodgers had mentioned me by name on his podcast last night and made some wildly reckless accusations that could jeopardize the safety and well-being of my family,”
Other late night personalities like Stephen Colbert also criticized Rodgers, with Colbert tweeting:
“I assume Rodgers will apologize to Kimmel immediately, with a thoughtful gift — might I suggest a book on history?”
What Comes Next in this War of Words?
It remains unclear if Kimmel will follow through on taking legal action against Rodgers for defamation or other charges. Some legal experts argue that as a public figure, Kimmel would face difficulties winning such a lawsuit.
But clearly these comments have crossed a line for Kimmel personally. Rodgers seemed to stand by his Epstein insinuation in a follow-up interview, and has yet to directly address Kimmel’s response.
This ugly feud between two major public figures now seems certain to escalate even further in the coming days and weeks unless one party backs down. With tensions running high, many observers worry that irresponsible speech could have dangerous real-world consequences.
Stay tuned as the Aaron Rodgers-Jimmy Kimmel drama continues to unfold. Their harsh words and threats foreshadow a conflict unlikely to fade quickly or quietly.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
