Jimmy Kimmel mocks final GOP debate without Trump as 'NSYNC reunion without Justin Timberlake'

Kimmel highlighted the lack of energy and excitement with candidates struggling to captivate the audience without Trump's presence
Jimmy Kimmel humorously critiqued the final Republican presidential debate without Donald Trump, likening it to an 'NSYNC reunion without Justin Timberlake' (Jimmy Kimmel Live)
Jimmy Kimmel humorously critiqued the final Republican presidential debate without Donald Trump, likening it to an 'NSYNC reunion without Justin Timberlake' (Jimmy Kimmel Live)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel took aim at the final Republican presidential debate without Donald Trump, likening the event to "an NSYNC reunion without Justin Timberlake."

In his opening monologue on Wednesday, December 6 night, Kimmel joked about the debate's lackluster lineup, noting that the absence of Trump had significantly impacted the energy and excitement of the event.

Jimmy Kimmel finds GOP debate 'boring as hell' without Trump

"The final Republican debate was last night," Kimmel said, "and let me tell you, it was like watching an NSYNC reunion without Justin Timberlake."

He continued, "It was just a bunch of guys standing around, not really knowing what to do with themselves. They tried to sing some of the old hits, but it just wasn't the same."

Kimmel's comments reflect a broader sentiment among many viewers who found the debate to be dull and uninspiring.

Without Trump's bombastic personality and unpredictable antics, the remaining candidates struggled to generate much interest or excitement.

In addition to the lack of Trump, Kimmel also poked fun at the candidates' frequent use of canned responses and talking points.

"The candidates were all very well-behaved," he said. "They stuck to their talking points, they didn't say anything controversial, and they certainly didn't try to insult each other. In other words, it was boring as hell."



 

Kimmel's monologue touched on yearning for 'substantive' election

While Kimmel's comments were intended to be humorous, they also highlight the serious concerns many have about the state of the Republican Party.

With Trump's dominance, the party has become increasingly divided and polarized, and the remaining candidates seem unable to offer a clear vision for the future.

As Kimmel concluded his monologue, he expressed his hope that the upcoming general election will be more engaging and substantive.

"I'm just hoping that the general election is more exciting than this debate," he said. "We need a campaign that is about real issues, not just personal attacks and insults."

Only time will tell whether Kimmel's wish will be granted. However, his comments offer a humorous and insightful perspective on the current state of the presidential race.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Trump has repeatedly hinted that the US could renew military action against Iran after the November 3 midterm elections
2026-10-30T08:02:12.000Z
During her speech, Kamala Harris criticized the Trump administration, accusing it of displaying unprecedented levels of brutality and ignorance
2026-10-30T06:45:08.000Z
Elon Musk and major Trump-aligned super PACs helped Republicans build a $2.1 billion fundraising lead over Democratic groups
2026-10-30T06:42:48.000Z
Vivek Ramaswamy added that he wanted the final stretch of the gubernatorial campaign to focus on policy rather than 30-second political advertisements
2026-10-30T05:41:31.000Z
Alina Habba's four-year agreement with Julio Herrera Velutini's family came weeks before Trump granted the Venezuelan billionaire a full pardon
2026-10-30T05:25:44.000Z
Nancy Pelosi said Zohran Mamdani and Abdul El-Sayed did not represent congressional Democrats amid a debate over antisemitism within the party
2026-10-30T05:07:45.000Z
A new poll showed Roger Marshall trailing Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton by four percentage points in the closely contested Kansas Senate race
2026-10-30T04:31:01.000Z
Speaking at a rally in South Carolina, Trump urged Black and Jewish voters not to vote for Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed
2026-10-30T04:05:15.000Z
Reuters journalist Jacob Bogage questioned Donald Trump about skipping a Kansas rally, prompting a heated exchange outside Air Force One
2026-10-30T03:11:31.000Z
The advertisement, which features Amy Acton’s estranged mother, has drawn criticism from several Republicans, including Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
2026-10-30T02:32:26.000Z