Jimmy Kimmel had a message for President Donald Trump during his opening monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Thursday following the school shooting in Parkland, Florida that claimed the lives of at least 17 people: Do something.
"I’m sure you know and feel – this is another very sad day in America. Another senseless shooting," Kimmel began with a quiver in his voice.
The late-night talk show host, who has never shied away from calling out politicians, then played a speech Trump gave following the shooting, in which he said no child or teacher "should ever be in danger in an American school" and "no parent should ever have to fear for their sons and daughters when they kiss them goodbye in the morning."
"I agree with both of those statements," Kimmel said looking into the camera. "So here’s what you do to fix that. Tell your buddies in Congress – tell Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Marco Rubio – all the family men who care so much about their communities — that what we need are laws. Real laws that do everything possible to keep assault rifles out of the hands of people who are going to shoot our kids. Go on TV and tell them to do that."
The audience erupted in cheers as Kimmel added, "Tell these congressmen and lobbyists who infest that swamp you said you were going to drain, force these allegedly Christian men and women — who stuff their pockets with money from the NRA year after year — to do something now, not later."
Kimmel then began to get emotional as he recounted just how many school shootings have taken place in the U.S. this year, (which according to the gun safety advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety is 18 so far — and we're in February).
"Children are being murdered," Kimmel exclaimed with tears welling up in his eyes. "Do something," he continued as the audience cheered in support.
The segment ended with montage of conservative politicians deflecting the issue of gun control in many of their public statements.
