Jimmy Kimmel breaks down over Pretti shooting – 'Shocked and sick'
- - Jimmy Kimmel breaks down over Pretti shooting – 'Shocked and sick'
Brendan Morrow, USA TODAYJanuary 27, 2026 at 8:51 PM
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Late-night hosts are sharing their shock and outrage over the killing of Alex Pretti.
On their Jan. 26 shows, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers and Jon Stewart all discussed the news from over the weekend that Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was shot and killed by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis.
After Trump administration officials said Border Patrol agents acted in self-defense, video of the shooting quickly spread and sparked outrage, as it appeared to show that Pretti wasn't brandishing a weapon. Pretti's death came weeks after an ICE agent fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good in Minneapolis. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem accused both Pretti and Good of engaging in "domestic terrorism."
Jimmy Kimmel on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
In his "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" monologue, Kimmel said he spent the weekend feeling "shocked and sick" by what has been happening in Minneapolis. He also got personal as he noted he has family members' living in the city.
"Is that the law and order that you voted for, if you voted for this?" he asked. "Every day is a nightmare now. My wife and I have family in Minneapolis that are afraid to take their kids to school. They're afraid to go to work. And I can only imagine how people who aren't white feel about this. How does this end? What's the plan here? Is the plan to just keep doing this in every city that didn't vote for Donald Trump? Does anyone on any side believe this is good leadership?"
USA TODAY has reached out to Border Patrol and the White House for comment.
Noem previously said that Border Patrol officers "attempted to disarm" Pretti, "but the armed suspect reacted violently," and a Border Patrol agent "fired defensive shots" while "fearing for his life and the lives of his fellow officers around him." She also said "this looks like a situation where an individual arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage on individuals and to kill law enforcement."
But Kimmel urged viewers to ignore the Trump administration's explanation, suggesting both sides of the political aisle should be able to agree on this "open and shut" case after watching video of the Pretti shooting. "It's on video. Look at it," he said. "Do your own research."
Whoopi Goldberg says 'you can't justify' Alex Pretti shooting
Later in the monologue, Kimmel broke down in tears while sending his love to Minneapolis.
"To the people of Minneapolis, to the Pretti family and the Good family, these people who were looking out for their neighbors, we want you to know that we're with you, and you are not alone," he said.
Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, Jon Stewart address Alex Pretti shooting
Colbert, meanwhile, unloaded on Border Patrol agents in response to Greg Bovino, the head of the U.S. Border Patrol, describing them as the victims in the situation.
"They are, at best, weak-minded individuals full of anger, who have been led to the darkness by Donald Trump and are now participating in an evil system that will stick to them like hot, black tar for the rest of their lives," the "Late Show" host said. "I'd cook at home from now, fellas, because no meal will ever go un-spit upon."
On NBC's "Late Night," Meyers said the "barbarism" and "cruelty we've seen on display from our own government has been heartbreaking and infuriating."
Stewart also addressed the shooting on "The Daily Show." The comedian accused the administration of denying "the reality that we all witnessed," adding, "They're lying. We saw it. And that's how brazen they lie when they know we've seen the truth. That's how they lie when they know we know. Imagine how they lie when there's no evidence to contradict them."
During a press briefing on Monday, Jan. 26, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said "nobody in the White House, including President Trump, wants to see people getting hurt or killed in America's streets," including Good and Pretti. She added that federal officers are "just trying to lawfully perform their duties," and she appeared to distance President Donald Trump from comments made by Noem and deputy White House chief of staff Stephen Miller, who characterized Pretti as a "domestic terrorist."
"I have not heard the president characterize Mr. Pretti in that way," she said. "However, I have heard the president say he wants to let the facts and the investigation lead itself."
The late-night hosts had previously weighed in on the killing of Renee Good earlier this month.
Jimmy Kimmel slams 'maniac' Trump for response to ICE shooting
At the time, Kimmel said that after watching video of Good's death, it "looked to me like a woman got scared, tried to drive away and they shot her." He also urged ICE to get out of Minneapolis.
resume production after it was pulled off the air Sept. 17, following comments he made in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing. Kimmel, a frequent critic of Donald Trump, often earned the ire of the president.After the announcement, Trump urged other networks to do the same. Scroll to see the other late-night talk show hosts that have feuded with the president over the years.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!", will resume production after it was pulled off the air Sept. 17, following comments he made in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing. Kimmel, a frequent critic of Donald Trump, often earned the ire of the president.After the announcement, Trump urged other networks to do the same. Scroll to see the other late-night talk show hosts that have feuded with the president over the years.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Fys_.hr.KhMxzUjxCdclTw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05MjU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b99fcada615c931719928dd506a3248a class=caas-img data-headline="Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart, see late-night hosts who have beefed with President Trump" data-caption="
Comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!", will resume production after it was pulled off the air Sept. 17, following comments he made in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing. Kimmel, a frequent critic of Donald Trump, often earned the ire of the president.After the announcement, Trump urged other networks to do the same. Scroll to see the other late-night talk show hosts that have feuded with the president over the years.
">Comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!", will resume production after it was pulled off the air Sept. 17, following comments he made in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing. Kimmel, a frequent critic of Donald Trump, often earned the ire of the president.After the announcement, Trump urged other networks to do the same. Scroll to see the other late-night talk show hosts that have feuded with the president over the years.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Fys_.hr.KhMxzUjxCdclTw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05MjU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b99fcada615c931719928dd506a3248a class=caas-img>Fallon is pictured here at the Met Gala on May 5, 2025, in New York City.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>In 2016, Jimmy Fallon interviewed Trump ahead of the election, ruffling the then-candidate's signature orange hair. After the interview received backlash, Fallon said he regretted parts of the interview. In response, Trump took to social media to criticize the "Tonight Show" host, writing: "@jimmyfallon is now whimpering to all that he did the famous 'hair show' with me (where he seriously messed up my hair), & that he would have now done it differently because it is said to have 'humanized' me-he is taking heat. He called & said 'monster ratings.' Be a man Jimmy!" Fallon is pictured here at the Met Gala on May 5, 2025, in New York City.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OD3fgLWfwBXYVODaPArb6Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9f2567fe7df19ccdb66a36a6fe536600 class=caas-img data-headline="Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart, see late-night hosts who have beefed with President Trump" data-caption="
In 2016, Jimmy Fallon interviewed Trump ahead of the election, ruffling the then-candidate's signature orange hair. After the interview received backlash, Fallon said he regretted parts of the interview. In response, Trump took to social media to criticize the "Tonight Show" host, writing: "@jimmyfallon is now whimpering to all that he did the famous 'hair show' with me (where he seriously messed up my hair), & that he would have now done it differently because it is said to have 'humanized' me-he is taking heat. He called & said 'monster ratings.' Be a man Jimmy!" Fallon is pictured here at the Met Gala on May 5, 2025, in New York City.
">In 2016, Jimmy Fallon interviewed Trump ahead of the election, ruffling the then-candidate's signature orange hair. After the interview received backlash, Fallon said he regretted parts of the interview. In response, Trump took to social media to criticize the "Tonight Show" host, writing: "@jimmyfallon is now whimpering to all that he did the famous 'hair show' with me (where he seriously messed up my hair), & that he would have now done it differently because it is said to have 'humanized' me-he is taking heat. He called & said 'monster ratings.' Be a man Jimmy!" Fallon is pictured here at the Met Gala on May 5, 2025, in New York City.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OD3fgLWfwBXYVODaPArb6Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9f2567fe7df19ccdb66a36a6fe536600 class=caas-img>In 2013, Trump tweeted, "I promise you that I'm much smarter than Jonathan Leibowitz - I mean Jon Stewart @TheDailyShow. Who, by the way, is totally overrated." Stewart is a sharp critic of Trump, often taking aim at the political movement he has created.Here, Stewart is pictured at "The Daily Show" official Emmy Screening on June 7, 2025, in Los Angeles.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>"The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart has a history of heated exchanges with Trump. In 2013, Trump tweeted, "I promise you that I'm much smarter than Jonathan Leibowitz - I mean Jon Stewart @TheDailyShow. Who, by the way, is totally overrated." Stewart is a sharp critic of Trump, often taking aim at the political movement he has created.Here, Stewart is pictured at "The Daily Show" official Emmy Screening on June 7, 2025, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/FzFzcy_kAXK18g1DMb7bUw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a7787c461510dfe3e4ac81df787a7fdf class=caas-img data-headline="Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart, see late-night hosts who have beefed with President Trump" data-caption="
"The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart has a history of heated exchanges with Trump. In 2013, Trump tweeted, "I promise you that I'm much smarter than Jonathan Leibowitz - I mean Jon Stewart @TheDailyShow. Who, by the way, is totally overrated." Stewart is a sharp critic of Trump, often taking aim at the political movement he has created.Here, Stewart is pictured at "The Daily Show" official Emmy Screening on June 7, 2025, in Los Angeles.
">"The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart has a history of heated exchanges with Trump. In 2013, Trump tweeted, "I promise you that I'm much smarter than Jonathan Leibowitz - I mean Jon Stewart @TheDailyShow. Who, by the way, is totally overrated." Stewart is a sharp critic of Trump, often taking aim at the political movement he has created.Here, Stewart is pictured at "The Daily Show" official Emmy Screening on June 7, 2025, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/FzFzcy_kAXK18g1DMb7bUw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NDY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a7787c461510dfe3e4ac81df787a7fdf class=caas-img>Oliver said he wasn't interested in having Trump on his show, which Trump responded to on X, writing: "John Oliver had his people call to ask me to be on his very boring and low-rated show, I said ‘NO THANKS’ Waste of time & energy!" Oliver refuted that report. Here, Oliver is pictured in at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>John Oliver, a "Daily Show" alum who now hosts “Last Week Tonight” is also a frequent Trump critic, and feuded publicly with the president over a potential show appearance in 2015. Oliver said he wasn't interested in having Trump on his show, which Trump responded to on X, writing: "John Oliver had his people call to ask me to be on his very boring and low-rated show, I said ‘NO THANKS’ Waste of time & energy!" Oliver refuted that report. Here, Oliver is pictured in at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/br78tzy0ST6OZsz8ldnY9w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f5d81f0a912d9fb5c8131f7d76664a88 class=caas-img data-headline="Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart, see late-night hosts who have beefed with President Trump" data-caption="
John Oliver, a "Daily Show" alum who now hosts “Last Week Tonight” is also a frequent Trump critic, and feuded publicly with the president over a potential show appearance in 2015. Oliver said he wasn't interested in having Trump on his show, which Trump responded to on X, writing: "John Oliver had his people call to ask me to be on his very boring and low-rated show, I said ‘NO THANKS’ Waste of time & energy!" Oliver refuted that report. Here, Oliver is pictured in at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles.
">John Oliver, a "Daily Show" alum who now hosts “Last Week Tonight” is also a frequent Trump critic, and feuded publicly with the president over a potential show appearance in 2015. Oliver said he wasn't interested in having Trump on his show, which Trump responded to on X, writing: "John Oliver had his people call to ask me to be on his very boring and low-rated show, I said ‘NO THANKS’ Waste of time & energy!" Oliver refuted that report. Here, Oliver is pictured in at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/br78tzy0ST6OZsz8ldnY9w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f5d81f0a912d9fb5c8131f7d76664a88 class=caas-img>"I absolutely love that Colbert got fired, his talent was even less than his ratings," the president wrote. Among his late-night peers, Colbert was among Trump's sharpest critics. Colbert is pictured here at Apple TV+'s Primetime Emmy party red carpet on Sept. 14, 2025, in West Hollywood.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>When CBS announced the network was terminating “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” after the 2025-2026 season, Trump took to social media to celebrate. "I absolutely love that Colbert got fired, his talent was even less than his ratings," the president wrote. Among his late-night peers, Colbert was among Trump's sharpest critics. Colbert is pictured here at Apple TV+'s Primetime Emmy party red carpet on Sept. 14, 2025, in West Hollywood.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/GuWHrLEBpl3enxbdL3Qj7w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/bc29a33065546216b51047533665629f class=caas-img data-headline="Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart, see late-night hosts who have beefed with President Trump" data-caption="
When CBS announced the network was terminating “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” after the 2025-2026 season, Trump took to social media to celebrate. "I absolutely love that Colbert got fired, his talent was even less than his ratings," the president wrote. Among his late-night peers, Colbert was among Trump's sharpest critics. Colbert is pictured here at Apple TV+'s Primetime Emmy party red carpet on Sept. 14, 2025, in West Hollywood.
">When CBS announced the network was terminating “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” after the 2025-2026 season, Trump took to social media to celebrate. "I absolutely love that Colbert got fired, his talent was even less than his ratings," the president wrote. Among his late-night peers, Colbert was among Trump's sharpest critics. Colbert is pictured here at Apple TV+'s Primetime Emmy party red carpet on Sept. 14, 2025, in West Hollywood.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/GuWHrLEBpl3enxbdL3Qj7w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/bc29a33065546216b51047533665629f class=caas-img>The ire, it seems, is mutual, with the president writing previously on social media: "How bad is Seth Meyers on NBC, a 'network' run by a truly bad group of people - Remember, they also run MSDNC. I got stuck watching Marble Mouth Meyers the other night, the first time in months, and every time I watch this moron I feel an obligation to say how dumb and untalented he is, merely a slot filler for the Scum that runs Comcast." Meyers is pictured here at SiriusXM's “The Howard Stern Show” on June 17, 2025, in New York City.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Seth Meyers, the host of "Late Night" on NBC is a frequent critic of Trump and his administration.The ire, it seems, is mutual, with the president writing previously on social media: "How bad is Seth Meyers on NBC, a 'network' run by a truly bad group of people - Remember, they also run MSDNC. I got stuck watching Marble Mouth Meyers the other night, the first time in months, and every time I watch this moron I feel an obligation to say how dumb and untalented he is, merely a slot filler for the Scum that runs Comcast." Meyers is pictured here at SiriusXM's “The Howard Stern Show” on June 17, 2025, in New York City.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/STqpo49YN8HtgkWoxkQqHg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTg2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/1161a9de81ca882af7c44505e46efb6a class=caas-img data-headline="Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart, see late-night hosts who have beefed with President Trump" data-caption="
Seth Meyers, the host of "Late Night" on NBC is a frequent critic of Trump and his administration.The ire, it seems, is mutual, with the president writing previously on social media: "How bad is Seth Meyers on NBC, a 'network' run by a truly bad group of people - Remember, they also run MSDNC. I got stuck watching Marble Mouth Meyers the other night, the first time in months, and every time I watch this moron I feel an obligation to say how dumb and untalented he is, merely a slot filler for the Scum that runs Comcast." Meyers is pictured here at SiriusXM's “The Howard Stern Show” on June 17, 2025, in New York City.
">Seth Meyers, the host of "Late Night" on NBC is a frequent critic of Trump and his administration.The ire, it seems, is mutual, with the president writing previously on social media: "How bad is Seth Meyers on NBC, a 'network' run by a truly bad group of people - Remember, they also run MSDNC. I got stuck watching Marble Mouth Meyers the other night, the first time in months, and every time I watch this moron I feel an obligation to say how dumb and untalented he is, merely a slot filler for the Scum that runs Comcast." Meyers is pictured here at SiriusXM's “The Howard Stern Show” on June 17, 2025, in New York City.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/STqpo49YN8HtgkWoxkQqHg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTg2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/1161a9de81ca882af7c44505e46efb6a class=caas-img>
1 / 6Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart, see late-night hosts who have beefed with President Trump
Comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!", will resume production after it was pulled off the air Sept. 17, following comments he made in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing. Kimmel, a frequent critic of Donald Trump, often earned the ire of the president.After the announcement, Trump urged other networks to do the same. Scroll to see the other late-night talk show hosts that have feuded with the president over the years.
Colbert, in his first episode after Good's death, opened "The Late Show" with a somber message in place of his tyipcally lighthearted cold open.
"Normally, we start these shows with a cold open, but sometimes, we don't do that, especially if there's been a shocking tragedy, and there's been another," he said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jimmy Kimmel cries over Alex Pretti shooting
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
