Jimmy Kimmel Urges Trump to Let Him Host White House Correspondents' Dinner

The late-night host made his case to the former president to take over hosting duties for the annual event.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Jimmy Kimmel is asking President Donald Trump to let him host this year's White House Correspondents' Dinner, arguing that he is the perfect person for the job as the dinner is traditionally hosted by a comedian. Kimmel noted that Trump may not want him to host because he's worried Kimmel will make fun of his skin condition, but Kimmel promised to give Trump a brand-new award called the "Correspondy" or the "Dondy Correspondy" if Trump lets him host.

Why it matters

The White House Correspondents' Dinner is an annual event that brings together journalists, politicians, and celebrities. The choice of host is significant as they are tasked with providing entertainment and commentary on the political landscape. Kimmel's pitch to host the event highlights the ongoing tensions between the media and the Trump administration, as well as Trump's apparent discomfort with being the subject of comedic roasting.

The details

Trump announced earlier this week that he will be attending this year's White House Correspondents' Dinner for the first time as president. Traditionally, the dinner has been hosted by a comedian, with past hosts including Al Franken, Ray Romano, Seth Meyers, and Wanda Sykes. However, this year the host will be author and mentalist Oz Pearlman, which Kimmel sees as a "cop out" to avoid having a comedian make fun of Trump. Kimmel made a direct plea to Trump to let him host the dinner instead, promising to give Trump a brand-new award called the "Correspondy" or the "Dondy Correspondy" if Trump agrees.

  • Trump announced he will attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner this year on March 1, 2026.
  • The White House Correspondents' Dinner is scheduled to take place in 2026.

The players

Jimmy Kimmel

A 58-year-old late-night talk show host who previously hosted the White House Correspondents' Dinner in 2012.

Donald Trump

The 79-year-old former president of the United States who announced he will attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner this year, breaking with tradition.

Oz Pearlman

An author and mentalist who has been chosen to host the 2026 White House Correspondents' Dinner, breaking from the tradition of having a comedian host the event.

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. In honor of our Nation's 250th Birthday, and the fact that these 'Correspondents' now admit that I am truly one of the Greatest Presidents in the History of our Country, the G.O.A.T., according to many, it will be my Honor to accept their invitation, and work to make it the GREATEST, HOTTEST, and MOST SPECTACULAR DINNER, OF ANY KIND, EVER!”

— Donald Trump (ew.com)

“The dinner is traditionally hosted by a comedian. Al Franken hosted it. Ray Romano, Seth Meyers, Jon Stewart, Conan [O'Brien], Wanda Sykes. I googled it this morning — turns out I even hosted it back in 2012.”

— Jimmy Kimmel, Talk Show Host (ew.com)

“This year, I guess Trump didn't want to be made fun of by a comedian, so the host is a mentalist. We'll have a mentalist and a mental case onstage together.”

— Jimmy Kimmel, Talk Show Host (ew.com)

“Mr. President, please let me host this dinner. I've never asked you for anything, but can you imagine you, me, the commissioner of the FCC, all at a table together? Think of the ratings!”

— Jimmy Kimmel, Talk Show Host (ew.com)

“I'll even throw in an award. You like awards — I'll give you a brand-new award! The Correspondy! The Dondy Correspondy! No one will ever get it besides you.”

— Jimmy Kimmel, Talk Show Host (ew.com)

What’s next

It remains to be seen if President Trump will accept Jimmy Kimmel's offer to host the 2026 White House Correspondents' Dinner. The decision could have significant implications for the tone and format of the event.

The takeaway

The ongoing tensions between the media and the Trump administration are highlighted by the debate over who should host the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Kimmel's pitch to host the event reflects the desire for a return to the traditional comedic roasting of political figures, rather than the more subdued approach taken this year with the selection of a mentalist as host.