Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump had an awkward moment at the United Nations headquarters when the escalator they were on suddenly stopped. Though minor, the incident quickly grabbed headlines and became late-night material for Jimmy Kimmel, who has long feuded with the former president.
Kimmel and Trump’s rivalry dates back to when ABC briefly suspended Kimmel after comments he made about Trump and political commentator Charlie Kirk. Trump praised the suspension, fueling their public clash.
When Kimmel returned to air, he wasted no time addressing the controversy. He mocked Trump’s attempt to “cancel” him, saying it only boosted his audience. The comedian expressed frustration at a national leader celebrating Americans losing jobs over jokes.
Kimmel also branded Trump a “bully” for repeatedly criticizing him in public. The feud has since become a recurring theme in Kimmel’s monologues, often surfacing whenever Trump makes news.
The UN escalator mishap gave Kimmel fresh material. Reports said Melania stepped on first, followed by Trump, when the escalator suddenly stopped. Forced to switch to stairs with their entourage, the Trumps made it safely, but Trump later warned it could have been dangerous without the handrail.
The former president suggested the malfunction may not have been accidental. Citing reports that UN workers had joked about such a prank, Trump hinted at sabotage and insisted those responsible be held accountable.
Kimmel, meanwhile, kept the humor going. He shared a picture of his sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez riding a working escalator, poking fun at the situation while promoting his show’s upcoming week in Brooklyn.
The clash illustrated how even trivial mishaps can feed the ongoing feud between Trump and Kimmel, blending politics, comedy, and late-night television into a steady cycle of jabs.