What To Know
- Jimmy Kimmel criticized Donald Trump for selling a $12,000 commemorative UFC coin.
- Kimmel mocked the coin’s value, highlighting that it costs far more than its gold content.
- The White House dismissed concerns about conflicts of interest.
Jimmy Kimmel slammed Donald Trump on Wednesday night (June 10) over a commemorative coin the president is selling in connection with the upcoming UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House lawn.
On Wednesday’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the late-night host opened with some talk about the NBA finals before turning his attention to the Commander in Chief. “President Trump was not at Game 4. He elected to fart and nap at home tonight. He decided to stay home and get booed by his wife,” Kimmel quipped.
“Instead, he has been gearing up for his big, UFC-themed birthday party on the White House lawn this weekend,” he continued. “They’ve been billing this as a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, even though it is taking place on Trump’s 80th birthday.”
“We’re holding a Fourth of July party on June 14th. A holiday that is named the 4th of July is on June 14th!” an incredulous Kimmel added.
The comedian then pointed to how “the Trump family is offering a special commemorative coin with his head on it for this UFC event for the low, low price of only $11,999.”
As revealed earlier this week, the “We, The People” medallion coins are being sold in connection with the UFC event taking place on the White House South Lawn. The silver and gold coins feature Trump’s head on the surface, with the most expensive retailing at just under $12,000.
“It’s a beautiful coin,” Kimmel sarcastically said. “Julius UFCaesar is pictured. This is one ounce of pure PF70 rated gold. Just by comparison, an ounce of PF70 rated gold in coin form without his head on it goes for about 4,500 bucks. So, this is a deal!”
He then read from the fine print, which included notes such as, “the coin is intended for individual enjoyment only and not for investment purposes,” “This is not political, has nothing to do with any political campaign,” and “It is not legal tender and has no face value.”
“It takes a special kind of con man to sell your supporters money they cannot spend any place,” Kimmel quipped.
As Kimmel noted, the White House rejected the notion that the Trump family profiting off an event on the White House grounds is in any way a “conflict of interest.”
“They wrote, ‘The fake news’ continued attempts to fabricate conflicts of interest are irresponsible and reinforce the public’s distrust in what they read,’” Kimmel quoted White House spokesperson Davis Ingle, before mockingly adding, “And that’s why they should all get themselves a Trump Bible and repent, starting at only $59.99.”
You can watch Kimmel’s full opening monologue in the video above and let us know your thoughts below.
Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Weeknights, 11:35/10:35c, ABC