In a recent late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel did not hold back in his assessment of the vice presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz, calling it “very boring.” The debate took place at the CBS News studio in New York City and covered topics such as abortion, climate change, and the Middle East conflict.
While Kimmel acknowledged the candidates’ mutual respect for each other during the debate, he expressed his disappointment at the lack of drama compared to debates involving former President Donald Trump. Kimmel quipped, “I’ll be honest, I like these better with Trump, I really do.”
The tone of the VP debate was notably civil, with Vance and Walz finding agreement on several policy points. Kimmel jokingly highlighted moments where the candidates expressed mutual agreement, suggesting that Trump would not appreciate the lack of conflict between them.
Despite the overall politeness of the debate, there were still moments of contention. Walz admitted to a previous misstatement regarding the Tiananmen Square protests, while Vance avoided directly addressing whether Trump lost the 2020 election. Kimmel drew a parallel between Vance defending Trump and lawyers defending rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, facing legal issues.
Reflecting on the debate’s impact, Kimmel questioned its significance in influencing voters, likening it to an underwhelming apple-picking excursion. Polls showed mixed views on the debate outcome, with Vance slightly edging out Walz as the perceived victor, but with minimal impact on voters’ decisions.
Kimmel’s critique of the debate was echoed by other late-night hosts, including Stephen Colbert, who described the VP candidates’ performance as “dull.” Colbert humorously characterised Vance as a “business lemur on beta blockers” and Walz as an “over-caffeinated likable coach.”
As the 2024 US election approaches, the analysis and reactions to the vice presidential debate have underscored both the subdued nature of the event and the enduring interest and scrutiny surrounding political discourse in the country.