"Jimmy Kimmel Live!" guest host Ike Barinholtz joked on Monday, July 14, 2026, about the recent death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and the health of Sen. Mitch McConnell. Barinholtz quipped that Kimmel's sidekick, Guillermo Rodriguez, would have a heartfelt tribute to Graham, jokingly suggesting a close friendship between Guillermo and the late senator.

Barinholtz remarked, "What a crazy weekend. Mitch McConnell is alive, Lindsey Graham is dead. There's so many opportunities to get Jimmy's show pulled off the air again. They’re gonna pull it off!" This appeared to reference the brief suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" after Kimmel joked about the death of conservative activist and TPUSA co-founder Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated last year.

On Sunday, just hours after Graham's death, McConnell disclosed details about his nearly monthlong hospital stay, stating, "My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion."

After joking about McConnell’s health, Barinholtz added sarcastically, "In all seriousness, though, I do want to extend well-wishes to Senator McConnell."

In June, Jimmy Kimmel announced that vocal Trump critic Rosie O’Donnell would be among the guest hosts during his summer break.

Sources