The Evolution of Jimmy Kimmel and Aaron Rodgers' Feud: From 'Karen Rodgers' Joke to Epstein List Claims
Jimmy Kimmel and Aaron Rodgers’ feud started in 2021 when Kimmel criticized Rodgers' vaccination stance The timeline includes key events in November 2021, January 2022, March 2023, and January 2024 Don't miss the exciting Deal of the Day!
Jimmy Kimmel and Aaron Rodgers. Disney/Randy Holmes ; Chance Yeh/WireImage
The feud between Jimmy Kimmel and Aaron Rodgers started before the quarterback implied that the comedian had ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Kimmel began teasing Rodgers after the Green Bay Packers quarterback was criticized for being dishonest about his COVID-19 vaccination status and missing games. Rodgers played for the Packers for 18 seasons before joining the New York Jets in April 2023.
Rodgers defended his stance on vaccination during a November 2021 Pat McAfee Show episode, stating, "I'm not an anti-vax-flat-Earther. I'm a critical thinker. I believe in bodily autonomy and making choices for your own body, rather than conforming to a woke culture or pressure from certain groups." Kimmel ridiculed Rodgers' comments, referring to him as a "wack Packer" and questioning his choice to follow medical advice from controversial podcaster Joe Rogan.
"I don't understand why you refuse to take the vaccine but are willing to take ivermectin instead. I mean, are you saying you trust good old ivermectin?" Kimmel joked on a November 2021 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, alluding to the widespread misuse of the antiparasitic drug for treating coronavirus. "By the way, if you're seeking advice from the former host of Mancho, give me a call next time! I have a second opinion on this!"
Continue scrolling to revisit Kimmel and Rodgers' feud.
Jimmy Kimmel. Mindy Small/Getty Images
November 2021
When news broke about Rodgers not being vaccinated after implying he was “immunized,” Kimmel was quick to call the athlete out for his controversial beliefs.
The haircut on Aaron Rodgers with a small knot on top speaks volumes about his belief in crystal healing, according to Kimmel. He even joked that Rodgers is a "Karen" and continued to mock him on his talk show, particularly after Rodgers was fined for not adhering to the NFL's mask policy.
January 2022
"The NFL made the decision to penalize Rodgers and the Packers last night," Kimmel joked. "Rodgers received a fine of $14,650, which is more than what he spends per year on scrunchies for his man bun. It's been a strange year for Aaron Rodgers. In just a few months, he transitioned from hosting Jeopardy! to a hitchhiker trying to steal your kidney."
Upon his return to the field, Rodgers continued to express his endorsement of various conspiracy theories, such as the belief that President Joe Biden did not rightfully win the 2020 election. In response, Kimmel playfully suggested that Rodgers' assertions were characteristic of "a man who's been hit in the head a lot of times."
Aaron Rodgers. Gotham/GC Images
March 2023
Rodgers made a comeback to the Pat McAfee Show and voiced his curiosity about the individuals that had allegedly been linked to Jeffrey Epstein before the court records were made available to the public in January 2024. The late-night host played excerpts from Rodgers' appearance in February 2023 during his monologue and suggested that Rodgers might be suffering from a potential head injury.
"It might be a good idea to reconsider that concussion protocol, Aaron," Kimmel joked at that time.
January 2024
Almost a year after Kimmel's burn in March 2023, Rodgers still appeared to harbor some resentment towards the comedian. On another episode of the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers suggested that Kimmel should be concerned about the names on Epstein's list, hinting at a possible connection between the late night host and the accused sex offender.
"I’ll definitely be celebrating with a bottle if that list comes out," Rodgers countered.
In response, Kimmel criticized Rodgers for his accusations and warned that he would pursue legal action.
"Dear [Name]: I want to make it clear that I have never met, flown with, visited, or had any contact with Epstein, and there is no 'list' that includes my name except for the clearly-fake nonsense that people like you can't tell apart from reality," Kimmel wrote on X (formerly Twitter) at that time. "Your thoughtless words have put my family at risk. If you continue, we will have to discuss the facts in court. @AaronRodgers12."
After the renewed feud between the two made headlines, McAfee apologized to Kimmel for Rodgers' comments on his show.
"I understand where Jimmy Kimmel was coming from, given his position, but I feel that Aaron was attempting to provoke. Did it cross a line? Jimmy Kimmel definitely thought so," McAfee stated. "We strive to avoid any negative associations. Our goal is to create a positive, uplifting, and enjoyable show. However, our style involves making light-hearted remarks and banter." When Kimmel resumed his talk show later that month, the Emmy winner criticized Rodgers during his monologue.
"Have you heard the story about me and Aaron Rodgers, the former quarterback for the Packers?" Kimmel asked. "Well, what happened is that he, now the Jets quarterback, went on The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN and suddenly insinuated that I was nervous about the Jeffrey Epstein list coming out. He claimed that I was hoping it wouldn't and said he would celebrate with a drink when it did."
Kimmel clarified to the audience that he had "never met" Epstein and how he called out Rodgers on social media for spreading false claims.
He suggested that if Aaron wanted to make false and damaging statements, they should be presented in court with proof shared with a judge. "When you hear a guy who won a Super Bowl and did State Farm commercials say something like this, a lot of people believe it," he added. Kimmel assumed that Rodgers' remarks were a result of the comedian making fun of him over the years.
“Either he truly thinks my name would have been on Epstein’s list, which is absurd,” he stated. “Or the more probable scenario is that he doesn’t actually believe that; he simply stated it because he’s angry at me for mocking his top knot and his false claims about being vaccinated.”
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After Kimmel’s scathing monologue made headlines, Rodgers responded to the backlash.
"I send him my best wishes. I don't care about his opinion of me," he stated on an episode of The Pat McAfee Show in January 2024. "As long as he comprehends my actual words, that I'm not accusing him of being on a list. I'm fully supportive of moving on."
