Jimmy Kimmel Offers to Host White House Correspondents Dinner

Late-night host says hosting the event could be a ratings smash

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Jimmy Kimmel has made an offer to President Donald Trump to let him host this year's White House Correspondents' Association's dinner, saying it could be a ratings smash. The late-night host made the pitch on Tuesday's (March 3) episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! It followed Trump's announcement on Monday (March 2) that he would attend the dinner for the first time, after previously turning down the invitation in both of his terms as president.

Why it matters

The White House Correspondents' Dinner is a long-standing tradition that brings together the White House press corps and the administration. Trump has previously boycotted the event, but his announcement to attend this year has generated significant interest and speculation about who will host the dinner.

The details

Kimmel made his offer to host the dinner on his late-night show, saying that having him host could be a ratings smash. Trump had previously announced on his social media platform Truth Social that the White House Correspondents Association had invited him to be the honoree at this year's dinner, which is a tradition dating back to 1924 under President Calvin Coolidge.

  • On March 2, 2026, President Trump announced he would attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
  • On March 3, 2026, Jimmy Kimmel made an offer to host the White House Correspondents' Dinner on his late-night show.

The players

Jimmy Kimmel

A late-night talk show host who has offered to host the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who has announced he will attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner this year, after previously boycotting the event during his presidency.

White House Correspondents Association

The organization that hosts the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner, which brings together the White House press corps and the administration.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'The White House Correspondents Association has asked me, very nicely, to be the Honoree at this year's Dinner, a long and storied tradition since it began in 1924, under then President Calvin Coolidge.'”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

What’s next

It remains to be seen whether the White House Correspondents Association will accept Jimmy Kimmel's offer to host the dinner or if they will go with a different host.

The takeaway

The White House Correspondents' Dinner is a high-profile event that has generated significant interest and speculation, particularly with the return of former President Trump. Kimmel's offer to host the event could potentially draw a large audience, but the final decision will be up to the White House Correspondents Association.