Molly McNearney, the wife of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, is opening up about the emotional toll of having family members who continue to support Donald Trump — the same man her husband has publicly criticized for years.
During a candid appearance on the We Can Do Hard Things podcast, McNearney revealed that political divisions have caused lasting strain within their family.
“It hurts me so much because of the personal relationship I now have where my husband is out there fighting this man,” McNearney said.
McNearney, who has been head writer and executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2006, said she’s lost relationships with certain relatives over their continued support for the former president.
“To me, them voting for Trump is them not voting for my husband and me and our family,” she explained. “And I unfortunately have kind of lost relationships with people in my family because of it.”
A Family Divided Over Politics
The late-night star and his wife have long been outspoken about their political views, particularly in their criticism of Trump. But that outspokenness has made Kimmel a frequent target of right-wing media and MAGA supporters — a dynamic that intensified earlier this year.
In September 2025, ABC **temporarily suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! **after the comedian made remarks about the MAGA community’s reaction to the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The decision was reversed six days later following backlash and a wave of Disney+ subscription cancellations, but the controversy highlighted how politically charged Kimmel’s platform has become.
McNearney said the conflict goes beyond partisanship.
“This is not just Republican versus Democrat for me anymore,” she said. “It’s about family values — taking care of the sick and taking care of the poor. That’s what I grew up believing in.”
Coming from what she describes as “a very conservative, Republican family,” McNearney admitted she feels more alienated than ever.
“I don’t see that happening with this Republican party,” she said. “So I feel like I’m in constant conflict — and I’m angry all the time, which isn’t healthy.”
Personal and Professional Fallout
McNearney also revealed she made one last emotional appeal before the 2024 presidential election, emailing relatives in an effort to change their minds.
“I sent many emails to family right before the election saying, ‘I’m begging you — here are ten reasons not to vote for this guy. Please don’t.’ But it didn’t work,” she said. “It’s definitely caused a strain.”
Meanwhile, Kimmel continues to use his platform to challenge Trump directly. On a recent episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he joked about a new poll that found he was more popular than the president.
“According to a new poll from YouGov, I’m more popular than the president of the United States,” Kimmel said, smirking. “Considering the fact I’m not a convicted felon, friend of Jeffrey Epstein, or someone who paid off a porn star — I feel like my rating should be higher, maybe?”
Despite the political tension, McNearney said she and her husband remain committed to speaking out for what they believe in — even when it comes at a personal cost.
