Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel is hitting back after New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers suggested, without evidence, that Kimmel could be on a list of associates connected to the late multi-millionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The accusation emerged during an episode of The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, where Rodgers made a cryptic reference to Kimmel's potential inclusion on a list of Epstein's associates, as per Daily News.
Jimmy Kimmel Fires Back at Rodgers' Epstein List Insinuation
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Host Jimmy Kimmel speaks onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California.
Kimmel, who is currently on a holiday break from his late-night show, took to social media platform X to forcefully deny any involvement with Epstein or being part of such a list. In response to Rodgers' insinuation, Kimmel threatened litigation, expressing concerns about the safety of his family due to the quarterback's "reckless words."
The heated exchange began when a clip of Rodgers making the suggestion about Kimmel was posted on X, prompting the late-night host to respond promptly. In his tweet, Kimmel clarified that he had no contact whatsoever with Epstein and challenged Rodgers to back up his claims with facts, indicating a willingness to continue the debate in court.
Rodgers, known for his history of espousing conspiracy theories, including those related to Epstein, UFOs, and vaccines, has previously been a target of Kimmel's comedic commentary. Kimmel had previously referred to Rodgers as a "tin foil hatter" when the quarterback speculated about the Epstein list in March of the previous year.
The ongoing controversy stems from Rodgers' appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, where he offered a conspiracy theory related to the colors of NFL Super Bowl emblems predicting the teams playing in the big game.
During the convoluted discussion, co-host AJ Hawk jokingly asked if it involved the Epstein list, to which Rodgers responded that many people, including Kimmel, hoped the list wouldn't be released, according to The Daily Beast.
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Aaron Rodgerss, McAfee Banter on Epstein List
The discussion between Rodgers and McAfee took a fascinating twist, as McAfee added a touch of humor by playfully suggesting that Rodgers had been eagerly awaiting the release of court documents in his wine cellar. Rodgers jokingly hinted that should the list ever see the light of day, he would commemorate the occasion with a bottle.
In a previous incident, Kimmel took a jab at Rodgers on his show for bringing up the Epstein list. Now, this latest exchange has unfolded. In a previous episode from March of the previous year, Kimmel jokingly referred to Rodgers as someone who wears tin-foil hats and playfully hinted that it might be a good idea for him to check the concussion protocol again.
As the controversy unfolds, the anticipation grows for the unsealing of Epstein's associates list, which a judge ordered just before the New Year. The list is expected to expose 177 individuals across hundreds of files, shedding light on Epstein's sex trafficking operation and his network of influential connections.
Judge Loretta Preska explicitly noted that the material would be "unsealed in full," revealing Epstein's friends, recruiters, victims, and others associated with the case, Daily Mail reported.
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