Jimmy Kimmel and Donald Trump's less-than-loving relationship continues to develop following the shooting in Santa Fe, Texas, which took the lives of 10 innocent people. At the top of his monologue on Friday, May 18, Kimmel offered a harsh denouncement of President Trump and the many Congresspeople who have refused to take any action in the face of 2018's 22 U.S. school shootings.
Kimmel set a somber tone leading into the program:
Hi. Before we get to our guests—and the jokes tonight—I want to take a moment because, as you know, we had another school shooting today. This time in Santa Fe, Texas. At least ten people were killed, ten are wounded. Mostly high school kids.
He continued, placing responsibility for the continued bloodshed at the feet of our government:
And, once again, our leaders are sending their thoughts and prayers. President Trump said he is with the people of Santa Fe in this tragic hour and will be with them forever—except for when it comes time to do something. Then he will not be with them. And neither will any of the congresspeople—or governors—who don't ever do anything because they are fearful that it will hurt them politically. They know the truth. They know this has gone too far. But they're too cowardly to do the right thing. They care more about the support of the NRA than they do about children.
Kimmel was visibly emotional as he asked his viewers to vote politicians out of office if they don't take action against gun violence.
So they sit there, with their hands in their pockets, pockets that are full of gun money, and do nothing. They just wait for the outrage to pass, because it didn't happen to their children. There's only one way to look at this: How would you feel and what would you do if these were your children who were killed today? The truth about our democracy is that the people don't make laws, we vote for those who do. So… the least you can do is register to vote right now. I mean the only way we can make any meaningful impact on this epidemic is to make sure we vote for politicians who will do something.
Kimmel also plugged Everytown.org, an organization dedicated to gun safety that was created in the wake of Sandy Hook.
The GOP's response to the tragedy in Santa Fe has been infuriating, with some politicians claiming the physical layout of the school is to blame for the 10 deaths. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick of Texas believes less lives would have been taken if the school had less exits.
Kimmel called for change of any kind, though he doubts the politicians in office right now will be capable of making it happen.
Our leaders right now seem to think that everything is fine… it isn't fine. This kind of thing doesn't happen in countries that have real, sensible gun laws. And I don't know about you, but I for one am very, very tired of this.
H/T - The Daily Beast, NPR, Getty Images, Getty Images
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