Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Jimmy Kimmel prank claims Donald Trump chose daughter Ivanka for Supreme Court

Comic’s fake news prank even claimed Trump made nomination with Ivanka sat on his lap

Graeme Massie
Los Angeles
Friday 25 September 2020 20:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel pranked people into believing Donald Trump chose daughter Ivanka for the Supreme Court.

The comedian, a vocal critic of the president,  tricked passersby in Los Angeles for the latest edition of his “Lie Witness News” segment.

“I was wondering, how far would be too far for Republicans to support Donald Trump,” Mr Kimmel said on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

“So we went out on the street to do a socially distant survey.”

Mr Trump has promised to quickly fill the Supreme Court vacancy created by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, with reports that his nominee will be conservative judge Amy Coney Barrett.

One of Mr Kimmel’s producers took to the streets outside his studio and asked people how they had reacted to Trump “picking” Ivanka Trump for the job.

“I was a little surprised,” said one man quickly.

“I think it’s a good pick. She’s a smart businesswoman. She’s educated. Really good institutions. 

"And I think she’s gonna be good for the economy, or excuse me, not the economy, good for the country.”

But others were not so impressed, and as the segment went on producers ramped up the questioning.

At one point the producer claimed Trump had made his announcement with Ivanka sat on his lap.

And they then claimed that she was intent on overturning “Row Row v. Your Boat”, a spoof reference to the landmark Supreme Court abortion case Roe v. Wade.

“That image of Ivanka on his lap was completely and totally inappropriate,” said another victim .

“It’s the president of the United States, the biggest and the greatest country on Earth. That absolutely should not happen.”

Finally Kimmel’s claimed that “Trump stood on the White House lawn and said that Ivanka is just like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, but f***tons hotter,” and added that it was “time to add some sex appeal to the court.”

But they pushed it too far and were caught out by one woman.

“It’s a very sexist thing to say, definitely not something that the president should say about other women,” she said before asking if it was “something you guys make up for the program.”

“So that’s not true? Oh my God, I look like an idiot now because I’d never heard of that,” she added when told it was all for the show.

“But I can imagine him doing this stuff. That’s the crazy part.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in