Jimmy Kimmel and Aaron Rodgers have not seen eye-to-eye over the years. They have been embroiled in a public feud characterized by verbal jabs and accusations.
The conflict began with disagreements over COVID-19 vaccinations and escalated when Aaron made claims about a list of people linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
But there’s a lot more going on between the lines.
In January 2024, Aaron Rodgers mentioned Jimmy Kimmel on The Pat McAfee Show, hinting that Kimmel might be on a list of Epstein associates. Jimmy responded on Twitter, vehemently denying any connections to Epstein and threatening legal action against Aaron. Jimmy challenged Aaron to apologize for spreading lies. Their feud originated in 2021 when Jimmy criticized Aaron for his stance on COVID-19 vaccinations.
What Is the Longstanding Beef Between Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Kimmel?
The ongoing feud between Jimmy Kimmel and Aaron Rodgers has garnered considerable attention over the years, with the latest chapter unfolding in 2024.
The conflict initially erupted in 2021 when Jimmy criticized Aaron for his stance on COVID-19 vaccinations.
Aaron, who was the Green Bay Packers’ quarterback at the time, was accused of concealing his vaccination status.
Jimmy took to his late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live! in November 2021 to express his disapproval and mockingly referenced Aaron’s sources of medical advice- Joe Rogan, whose podcast Aaron had been on.
Jimmy had said (via Hollywood Life):
“Right, right, and if parachutes are so great, how come 11 people died skydiving last year? The fact of the matter is the risk of dying from Covid is 11 times higher if you aren’t vaccinated. This is a dumb conversation, but you’ll never guess who this wack Packer has been getting his medical advice from.”
Their dispute flared up again in March 2023 when Aaron Rodgers made claims about a supposed list of individuals associated with Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and registered sex offender.
Jimmy responded by poking fun at Aaron’s conspiracy theory comments and questioning his statements.
In January 2024, Aaron once more mentioned Jimmy during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, suggesting that the talk show host would be on the alleged list of Epstein associates. He said:
“A lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, are hoping that doesn’t come out.”
This led to Jimmy firing back on Twitter, vehemently denying any ties to Epstein and threatening legal action against Aaron. Kimmel said:
“Dear aashole: for the record, I’ve not met, flown with, visited, or had any contact whatsoever with Epstein, nor will you find my name on any ‘list’ other than the clearly-phony nonsense that soft-brained wackos like yourself can’t seem to distinguish from reality.”
Pat McAfee, who initially hosted the segment where Aaron made the remarks, apologized for his involvement.
As the feud escalated, Jimmy challenged Aaron to apologize for spreading what he deemed to be lies.
Kimmel stressed the importance of distinguishing between making jokes and fabricating falsehoods, emphasizing that his jokes are based on facts and reputable sources. He expressed his hope that Aaron would apologize but remained skeptical.
In a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, Aaron didn’t apologize. He instead implied that Jimmy misunderstood him. He said (via People magazine):
“I don’t think he’s the P-word. I wish him the best. Again, I don’t give a s— what he says about me. As long as he understands what I actually said and that I’m not accusing him of being on the list.”
The ongoing conflict has attracted substantial attention, with implications for both Jimmy Kimmel’s show and Aaron Rodgers’ appearances on The Pat McAfee Show.
ESPN, which airs McAfee’s show, plans to continue featuring Aaron despite the controversy, acknowledging that the situation may evolve.
While the feud between Jimmy and Aaron has caused a stir, how it will unfold and whether it will have any legal ramifications remain to be seen.
As the feud continues, it raises questions about the boundaries of humor, responsible reporting, and the potential consequences of public spats in an era of heightened scrutiny and accountability.
Online, people have already begun taking sides in this fight. So, whose side are you on? Do you think Aaron should apologize?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: People and Hollywood Life
