ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel faced criticism this week after remarks targeting newly confirmed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin during his Tuesday night monologue, as reported by The New York Post.
Kimmel referenced Mullin’s background while introducing the cabinet official to his audience.
IN THE GUTTER: Jimmy Kimmel is facing backlash after mocking DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s background as a plumber, saying, “We have a plumber protecting us from terrorism now.”
Critics online and in Washington called the remarks elitist and dismissive of working-class… pic.twitter.com/sHPzZXJ422
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 26, 2026
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“Trump’s got a whole new generation of thinkers lined up, including his newly confirmed secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne ‘Chuck Mike Bruce Dave’ Melon — Mullin. Maybe melon’s better,” Kimmel said.
“He’s the now former senator of Oklahoma. Before he was elected to the Senate, Markwayne Mullin was a low-level MMA fighter and a plumber. That’s right. We have a plumber protecting us from terrorism now. It worked for Super Mario. Why not Markwayne?”
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He continued by suggesting alternative figures in a satirical comparison.
“But honestly — I mean, if Trump is going to keep picking these unqualified people to run the department, why not have more fun with it? I mean, next time, instead of Markwayne, how about Lil Wayne for Homeland Security? At least we can get a concert out of it, right?”
When Markwayne Mullin was 20 his dad’s health took a turn. He dropped out of college to run the family business. He built it from 6 people into a multimillion dollar HVAC company with 150+ employees.
He’s a pillar of his community, and @jimmykimmel can’t even tell a funny joke. https://t.co/yVfsqzpRgh
— Benjamin Domenech (@bdomenech) March 25, 2026
The comments prompted responses from lawmakers and commentators, many of whom criticized the remarks as dismissive of working-class professions.
Senator Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., responded on X, writing, “The disdain for which the Democrats and Hollywood elites have for working class Americans – and folks who step up to do important jobs for their country – is shameful. These people need help.”
Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also responded, stating, “I prefer plumbers to woke & unfunny comedians.”
I prefer plumbers to woke & unfunny comedians. https://t.co/3nUseOoluy
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 25, 2026
RealClearInvestigations senior writer Mark Hemingway added, “I would much rather be protected by plumbers than lawyers.”
Substack journalist Chris Cillizza commented on the exchange, writing, “Not a great look.”
Townhall.com writer Amy Curtis also weighed in, stating, “This is your reminder that Jimmy Kimmel does not have a degree, save an honorary Doctorate from UNLV.”
Representative Mike Collins, R-Ga., addressed the broader criticism of trades and working-class careers in his response.
“The elites too often look down their noses at blue-collar, middle America. They try to demean a man by calling him a plumber. As if plumbing is something to be ashamed of or is somehow a lesser profession than a court jester turning tricks on late-night commentary (comedy is dead). But even just calling a U.S. senator and cabinet secretary a plumber doesn’t do justice to a man who built a successful business in a highly competitive environment that provides jobs for several plumbers, actually, and others that then feed many families,” Collins wrote.
The elites too often look down their noses at blue collar, middle America. They try to demean a man by calling him a plumber. As if plumbing is something to be ashamed of or is somehow a lesser profession than a court jester turning tricks on late night commentary (comedy is… https://t.co/YXI61kjTEr
— Rep. Mike Collins (@RepMikeCollins) March 25, 2026
Mullin, who previously served as a U.S. senator from Oklahoma, has a background in business and skilled trades prior to entering politics. He was recently confirmed to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
The exchange comes after changes within the department’s leadership earlier this month, when Kristi Noem was removed from her position.
The remarks and subsequent responses circulated widely on social media, where users debated the tone and substance of Kimmel’s comments and the reaction from public officials and commentators.
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