Comedian Ike Barinholtz, guest hosting "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" this week, made several jokes about the late Senator Lindsey Graham and his sister, Darline Graham, who was sworn in as South Carolina's newest senator. Barinholtz also took aim at Senator Mitch McConnell.
During his Tuesday night monologue, Barinholtz commented on the political developments, stating, "The big political story today is that we officially have a replacement for Lindsey Graham in the Senate. And it's Lindsey Graham's sister, which is very confusing because I always thought Lindsey Graham was Lindsey Graham's sister." Darline Graham Nordone was sworn in on Tuesday, becoming the first female senator from South Carolina. Barinholtz added that Nordone pledged to "work very hard over the next several months to support the president and she pledges to suck his t--- even harder than her brother did." ![Ike Barinholtz appears on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"]( "Guest host Ike Barinholtz appears on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on July 13, 2026.")
Barinholtz also joked about following Graham's succession example, announcing that his sister, Ikena Barinholtz, would fill his guest hosting duties should he be unable to continue. This was met with a pan to someone in the audience.
On Monday's broadcast, Barinholtz had also addressed Graham's death, which occurred over the weekend, and included a remark about Mitch McConnell. "What a crazy weekend," Barinholtz said. "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 comment appeared to reference a previous suspension of Kimmel's show. Barinholtz later offered a sarcastic remark directed at McConnell, who had recently been absent from the Senate due to a health scare. "In all seriousness, though, I do want to extend well-wishes to Senator McConnell. I hope you get the quality healthcare you've fought so hard to deny everyone else. Pulling for you, Mitch!"
Senator Graham, 71, died Saturday night from an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to an autopsy performed Sunday. McConnell, R-Ky., had recently disclosed details about his hospital stay, stating in a release that his doctors confirmed no broken bones, concussion, heart attack, stroke, tumors, or hemorrhages.
