Late-night host’s cameo survey draws reactions in downtown L.A.

Kimmel’s Unexpected Street-Level Inquiry

September 5, 2025: On a recent episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the talk show host sent his camera crew into downtown Los Angeles to ask local business owners a pointed—and somewhat tongue-in-cheek—question: “Do you want to thank Donald Trump for sending troops here last June?” This bold move was part of a comedic segment aimed at gauging public sentiment about the president’s heavily criticized deployment of military personnel.

Punchline in the Streets

As expected, the heartfelt “thank-yous” were in short supply. Business owners responded with eye rolls, pointed looks, and polite dismissals. The short segment quickly made it clear that most attendees weren’t feeling particularly grateful—and neither were viewers watching at home.

A Satirical Spotlight

Through the segment, Kimmel underscored his long-standing critique of Trump, using humor to spotlight the absurdity of certain federal actions. This aligns with previous moments where Kimmel has mocked excessive political theatrics—poking fun at everything from ill-conceived relief strategies to exaggerated threat assessments.