Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel did not hold back after Donald Trump made another unusual claim about Canada and hockey.
During his Monday night show, Kimmel reacted to Trump’s social media rant in which the president threatened Canada over a new international bridge and then claimed that China wanted to end hockey in Canada and permanently eliminate the Stanley Cup.
Kimmel appeared stunned by the comments. He joked that Trump must have been hit in the head with a hockey puck. He said the idea that China would somehow ban hockey in Canada made no sense at all. In his usual sarcastic tone, Kimmel suggested that the country might be facing what he called a “demental emergency,” implying that Trump’s thinking seemed confused or disconnected from reality.
He continued by poking fun at the logistics of Trump’s claim. How exactly would China ban hockey in Canada? Would they collect all the hockey sticks and turn them into chopsticks? Why would China even care about banning hockey in another country? Kimmel said the entire idea felt random and poorly thought out, and that it sounded like something that needed a lot more explanation.
At one point, Kimmel joked that maybe Trump had been watching “Heated Rivalry,” a romantic drama about hockey players, and didn’t know what to do with unfamiliar emotions. The audience laughed, but the underlying point was clear: Kimmel saw Trump’s comments as bizarre and disconnected from normal political discussion.
The bridge at the center of Trump’s complaint is the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will connect Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan. The bridge was paid for by Canada and is named after Gordie Howe, a legendary Canadian hockey player who spent most of his career with the Detroit Red Wings.
Kimmel even joked that maybe Canada could solve the issue by renaming the bridge after Trump. He sarcastically suggested they grab a marker, cross out “Gordie Howe,” write “Donald Trump” instead, and then everyone could calm down.
The whole monologue reflected how many critics are reacting to Trump’s latest comments — with confusion, disbelief, and humor. While Trump’s supporters may see his bold language as part of his negotiating style, others view these kinds of statements as unnecessary, strange, and difficult to take seriously.
Once again, Trump’s words became less about policy and more about spectacle, giving late-night comedians plenty of material while raising fresh questions about the tone and direction of his public messaging.
