Jimmy Kimmel is returning to the site where his famously public feud with Donald Trump kicked into a whole other gear.
The ABC late-night host is among the latest wave of presenters announced for Sunday’s presentation of the 98th Oscars—a ceremony he himself has hosted four times (in 2017, 2018, 2023, and 2024).
Longtime friend, supporter and peer Conan O’Brien is hosting the Oscars for a second straight year, after reaping kudos for his debut and helping steer the awards show to a five-year viewership high.
It was two years ago yesterday that Kimmel as Academy Awards host cemented his role as Trump’s chief antagonist by reading aloud, mid-show, the then-presidential candidate’s Truth Social real-time review of his performance.
“Has there ever been a worse host than Jimmy Kimmel at the Oscars?” the post read. “His opening was that of a less-than-average person trying to be something which he is not and never can be. Get rid of him and perhaps replace him with another washed-up, cheap ABC talent.”
In response, Kimmel said to camera: “Thank you, President Trump. Thank you for watching. I’m surprised you’re still up…. Isn’t it past your jail time?”
Trump was clearly seared by the biggest laugh-line of that night; for many weeks, he continued to label Kimmel “WORST HOST EVER OF THE ONCE VAUNTED ACADEMY AWARDS!”
As recently as December, Trump similarly derided Kimmel as a “horrible” host of the Kennedy Center Honors—an event Kimmel actually has never emceed.
ABC meanwhile had an entirely different take on Kimmel as Oscars host. Rob Mills, EVP of Unscripted and Alternative Entertainment, not only declared his intention to “beg” Kimmel to host the Oscars again in 2025 (Jimmy politely declined), but said, “If he wants to sign a lifetime contract, I would love that.”
Other newly announced presenters at Sunday’s Oscars include Rose Byrne, the nominated star of the acclaimed film If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, in which Conan O’Brien made his dramatic acting debut as a therapist.
The 98th Oscars will be held Sunday, March 15, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The telecast begins at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC, and will be streamed live on Hulu.
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