Trump blasts 'loser' Jimmy Kimmel for mocking Markwayne Mullin as 'unqualified' plumber

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump spoke about his new Homeland Security Secretary while also responding to remarks from Jimmy Kimmel, but the conversation quickly turned toward his longtime critic. During a phone interview, Trump dismissed Kimmel, calling him a “loser” and saying he has no ratings.

Trump was aiming to highlight Markwayne Mullin as strong and capable, and someone who fits his approach. However, he also took the opportunity to push back against Kimmel’s comments.

Earlier, Kimmel had joked about Mullin on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' on Wednesday, March 25. He referenced Mullin’s past as a fighter and his plumbing business, saying, “If Trump is going to keep picking these unqualified people to run the department, why not have more fun with it? I mean, next time, instead of Markwayne, how about Lil Wayne for Homeland Security? At least we can get a concert out of it, right?”

Trump backs his DHS pick, responds sharply to Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks

After a phone conversation with Trump during a Fox News interview, 'The Five' hosts reacted to his sharp response to Kimmel’s comments. Trump defended Mullin and did not hold back when speaking about the late-night host.

"Well, I have watched this guy. Yeah, he is a loser. He gets no ratings, none. He's got no talent. He got Trump derangement syndrome. Whenever I watch this guy, I can't believe he is even on the air. He should not be on the air."

Trump went on to compare Kimmel’s situation to how things worked in the past, while also praising Mullin’s success. "You know, in the old days, if they don't have good ratings, or you didn't have any ratings practically, you get fired. You can't. Mark Waid is fantastic. You know he became very successful. He took his small company from his parents, and he made it very, very successful."

He continued by highlighting Mullin’s background and toughness. "Make money. He is also a very good fighter. I never heard low levels in an MMA. You fight these guys, he is a tough cookie. He had a very good record in fighting but, you know, that’s unimportant,"

Trump added that Mullin’s personality and intelligence stand out. "He is sort of a fighter. I call him country smart. Very smart guy. Everybody loves him, and people respect him a lot."

The phrase “country smart” drew laughs from 'The Five' hosts after the call ended. Still, while praising Mullin, Trump stayed focused on defending his pick and responding to his longtime critic.

Jimmy Kimmel questions Markwayne Mullin’s qualifications

During Kimmel's monologue, he criticized the newly confirmed DHS Secretary and made jokes about his background. He suggested a “new generation of thinkers” while poking fun at Mullin’s name and career.

"Trump's got a whole new generation of thinkers lined up, including his newly confirmed Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne ‘Chuck Mike Bruce Dave’ Melon - Mullin. Maybe melon's better," Kimmel said. "He's the now former senator of Oklahoma. Before he was elected to the Senate, Markwayne Mullin was a low-level MMA fighter and a plumber. That's right. We have a plumber protecting us from terrorism now. It worked for Super Mario. Why not Markwayne?"

Kimmel used humor to question Mullin’s qualifications, focusing on his earlier work as a plumber and his time as a fighter. His comments sparked debate about how blue-collar professions are portrayed.

He then shifted to a broader message about the importance of working-class jobs in society. "Plumbers, truckers, builders, tradesmen, etc built this country and continue to be a vital part of our economy's backbone. It's not just jobs."