Jimmy Kimmel was told ‘don’t read’ Trump’s Oscars diss on stage

Former President Donald Trump weighs in on issues live and he did so again Sunday night during the Academy Awards.

“Has there EVER been a WORSE HOST than Jimmy Kimmel at The Oscars,” Trump posted on his Truth Social. “His opening was that of a less than average person trying too hard to be something which he is not, and never can.

“Get rid of Kimmel and perhaps replace him with another washed up, but cheap, ABC ’talent,’ George Slopanopoulos. He would make everybody on stage look bigger, stronger, and more glamorous.”

Mr. Trump concluded: “Also a really bad politically correct show tonight, and for years — Disjointed, boring, and very unfair. Why don’t they just give the Oscars to those that deserve them. Maybe that way their audience and TV ratings will come back from the depths. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Mr. Kimmel, host of the Oscars on ABC, promptly came out and read the post to the 32 million people watching — even though top brass told him not to, he said.

Right after hosting the show, Mr. Kimmel was interviewed backstage by Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos for their annual post-Oscars “Live” special and recounted a conversation backstage about Mr. Trump’s post, Variety reported.

“They’re like, ‘You’ve got a little bit of time’ and I was like, ‘I’m reading the Trump tweet,’ and they’re like, ‘No, no, don’t read that,’” Mr. Kimmel said with a laugh. “[I was like] ‘yes I am.’”

Here’s what Mr. Kimmel said during the Oscars. “Doing this show is not about me. And I appreciate you having me. It’s really about you and Emma [Stone] and all these great actors and actresses and filmmakers,” he told the crowd as the 3 ½-hour show wound down.

“But I was told we have, like, an extra minute, and I’m really proud of something. I was wondering if I could share it with you. I just got a review.”

After reading Mr. Trump’s post, he added: “Blah, blah, blah. … OK, now, see if you can guess which former president just posted that on Truth Social. Anyone? No? Well, thank you, President Trump. Thank you for watching, I’m surprised you’re still — isn’t it past your jail time?”