Late-Night Fire: Tiffany Haddish Takes the Reins of Jimmy Kimmel Live
The summer hiatus is a tradition for Jimmy Kimmel, but it often paves the way for some of the most unexpected and electrifying moments on late-night television. This year, comedian Tiffany Haddish stepped into the spotlight as a guest host on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and she didn’t hold back.
While filling in for Kimmel, who has enjoyed scheduled summer breaks since 2020, Haddish used her platform to address a brewing storm involving sports, politics, and the U.S. Men’s National Team.
The FIFA Friction: Haddish vs. Trump
The primary talking point of the episode was the perceived interference of former President Donald Trump in the FIFA World Cup proceedings. Haddish wasted no time in roasting the former president, linking the U.S. team’s struggles to Trump’s attempts to influence the game’s governing body.
“People are blaming Donald Trump for the loss after he got FIFA to help Team USA,” Haddish quipped during the July 7 episode. “It seems like everything Trump touches dies.”
The controversy stems from reports that Trump contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to urge a review of a controversial red card issued to star forward Folarin Balogun. While the red card was eventually reversed on July 5, the victory was short-lived; the U.S. men suffered a crushing 4-1 defeat against Belgium shortly after.
Defending the Play: The Response from the Oval Office
As is often the case with such public disputes, the response was swift. White House spokesman David Ingle dismissed the comedian’s remarks with a blunt question: “Who the hell is Tiffany Haddish?”
Trump himself defended his actions, claiming his interest was purely that of a sports enthusiast. He argued that the penalty against Balogun was “very unfair” and “horrible,” asserting that his understanding of sports led him to believe no infraction had actually occurred.
Meanwhile, Gianni Infantino maintained that FIFA’s disciplinary committee operates with total independence, stating that while he does receive calls from world leaders, those calls do not dictate official rulings.
A Summer of Stars on Jimmy Kimmel Live
Haddish is just one of several high-profile personalities filling the void while Jimmy Kimmel takes his two-month break. The guest host rotation is designed to keep the show fresh and diverse throughout the season. Other notable guest hosts this summer include:
- Colman Domingo
- Ike Barinholtz
- Anthony Anderson
- Jelly Roll
During her tenure, Haddish also welcomed an impressive lineup of guests, including Allison Janney and Auli’i Cravalho, with musical performances by Charlie Puth, ensuring that the show remains a powerhouse of entertainment even in Kimmel’s absence.
You can catch Jimmy Kimmel Live weeknights on ABC or stream the latest episodes the following day on Hulu.
