“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” guest host Ike Barinholtz on Monday joked about the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., quipping that his sidekick would have a heartfelt tribute to him as well. Barinholtz appeared to reference a past incident where Kimmel's show was temporarily suspended after joking about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
“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!”
Barinholtz then addressed Kimmel’s sidekick, Guillermo Rodriguez, as if he and Graham were close friends. “Guillermo, I know you and him, were close friends,” Barinholtz said. “You hosted fundraisers for him at the Dave & Busters in Charleston. And I know you've prepared some heartfelt remarks. Do you want to share them with all of America right now?” Rodriguez responded, “Maybe later on. Maybe later on. I'll do it later on, yeah, yeah.” Barinholtz responded, “He's emotional, folks. He’s emotional.”
Sen. Graham died Saturday night at age 71. An autopsy suggested the cause was an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Graham was a prominent figure in the Senate and was scheduled to appear on NBC's “Meet the Press” the morning after his death.
Barinholtz also commented on the health scare involving Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who had been absent from the Senate for weeks. McConnell recently revealed details of his hospital stay, stating his doctors confirmed he did not suffer a broken bone, concussion, heart attack, stroke, tumor, or hemorrhage.
“In all seriousness, though, I do want to extend well-wishes to Senator McConnell,” Barinholtz said sarcastically. “I hope you get the quality healthcare you've fought so hard to deny everyone else. Pulling for you, Mitch!”