Jimmy Kimmel breaks down in emotional monologue over LA wildfires: 'It has been a very scary week'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' show returned to television after production was paused last week due to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.

Host Jimmy Kimmel opened the show with an emotional monologue reflecting on the destruction caused by the fires and the community's resilience.

Jimmy Kimmel says it's been 'very scary'

The wildfires, which burned dangerously close to the studio, forced Jimmy Kimmel and many others to evacuate.

He addressed the audience, expressing gratitude for the efforts of those who have been helping during the crisis. Kimmel shared the emotional toll the wildfires have taken on his community.

"As you know, it has been a very scary, very stressful, very strange week here in LA, where we work, where we live, where our kids go to school," Kimmel said in his monologue, his voice breaking.

"Many of us had to leave our homes in a hurry, some of us lost our homes," he continued.

"It’s been terrible. Everyone who lives in this city knows someone – most of us, multiple people, family, friends, colleagues, neighbors – whose houses have burned down. And the truth is, we don’t even know if it’s over."

Jimmy Kimmel highlights resilience and unity within community

Jimmy Kimmel described the intense winds fueling the fires, saying, "We had 100 mph winds fueling this nightmare. And as of tonight, winds are back."

"I think I speak for all of us when I say it has been a sickening, shocking, awful experience," he said. Despite the devastation, Kimmel highlighted the resilience and unity within the community.

"But it has also been, in a lot of ways, a beautiful experience because once again, we see our fellow men and women coming together to support each other," Kimmel said.

He shared how people who lost their homes were stepping up to help others. "People who lost their own homes are out volunteering in parking lots for others who lost theirs," he added.

Kimmel expressed gratitude toward those helping during the crisis, including firefighters and volunteers, while addressing the challenges many continue to face.

Jimmy Kimmel calls Donald Trump's comments 'disgusting but not surprising'

Jimmy Kimmel also criticized President-elect Donald Trump for comments about the disaster.

“Tonight I don’t want to get into all the vile and irresponsible and stupid things our alleged future president and his gaggle of s******s chose to say during our darkest and most terrifying hour,” Kimmel stated.

“The fact that he chose to attack our firefighters who apparently aren’t White enough to be out there risking their lives on our behalf – it’s disgusting but not surprising,” he said.

Instead, Kimmel focused on expressing appreciation for those working tirelessly during the disaster. “I want to focus on thanking those men and women, because that’s [what] all we should be doing right now,” he concluded.

Internet reacts to Jimmy Kimmel's emotional monologue

Online reactions to Jimmy Kimmel's emotional monologue were mixed, with right-leaning netizens criticizing him for taking a swipe at Trump.

"He was a disgrace. Emotional is fine but his criticism was hypocrisy. If Newsom was a Republican, he would have already called for his resignation and the media also," one user wrote on X.

Another added, "He spent his time attacking Trump claiming Trump attacked the firefighters which he didn't and then had nothing to say about Karen Bass or Newsom."

Others mocked Kimmel’s visible emotions, with one user writing, "Poor Kimmel. Where were those tears for NC," and another commenting, "Does he do anything but cry?"

One user remarked, "He was crying because he couldn't blame Trump."

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