Fox News host Sean Hannity extended an invitation to late night host Jimmy Kimmel to come on his show, ending an ongoing feud between the men that was started last week after Kimmel mocked first lady Melania Trump for her accent.
Hannity explained that he “took on” Kimmel because attacking women and children was a “line in the sand” for him, but added he wasn’t trying to be the “thought police” and wasn’t seeking political correctness.
Hannity then extended Kimmel an invitation to appear on his show, where he promised he wouldn’t discuss their Twitter feud.
“I have noticed by the way, Jimmy, you seem focused on politics,” Hannity said in a monologue Monday. “You seemed sincere when you talked about healthcare, you seemed sincere when you talk about the country. I want to extend an invitation. You want to come on this show, I’ll promise no name calling, no anger, no rehashing of the Twitter fight.”
Hannity said he was seeking a “serious discussion” on President Trump, policies, comedy, and political correctness, among other things. Hannity predicted Kimmel would agree with him on more issues than expected, but also warned if Kimmel started the feud again, his producer has compiled plenty of unflattering footage of Kimmel.
“My bet is you’ll actually agree with me on a lot more issues than you think,” Hannity said. “But for my point of view it’s over with Jimmy Kimmel. I meant what I said, unfair attacks — there needs to be an end to this. There is no shortage by the way of comedic material out there.”
“By the way, Jimmy, if you do want to start up again, I promise I will punch back even harder and my producer spent all weekend compiling a lot of your highlights or low lights in your career,” he added. “They don’t make you look too good. So instead of airing them, we will put them in storage and we have more important pressing issues like what’s happening in Syria and the gassing of women and children.”
The war of words between Hannity and Kimmel started last week after Kimmel poked fun at Melania Trump for her Eastern European accent at the White House Easter Egg Roll.
In response, Hannity called Kimmel a “despicable disgrace” and “ass clown,” in addition to other things.
As the feud escalated, Kimmel tweeted a lewd photoshopped image of Hannity with a clown, although he later deleted the photo.
He also responded to some of Hannity’s tweets: “When your clown makeup rubs off on Trump’s ass, does it make his butt look like a Creamsicle?” and “Don’t worry – just keep tweeting – you’ll get back on top! (or does Trump prefer you on bottom?) Either way, keep your chin up big fella..XO.”
Kimmel faced criticism for the tweets as some viewed them as offensive to the LGBT community, prompting Kimmel to issue an apology on Sunday.
“While I admit I did have fun with our back and forth, after some thought, I realize that the level of vitriol from all sides (mine and me included) does nothing good for anyone, and is in fact harmful to our country,” Kimmel said in a statement.
“By lampooning Sean Hannity’s deference to the President, I most certainly did not intend to belittle or upset members of the gay community and to those who took offense, I apologize,” he added.
