By Mark Gray
3:00pm PST, Jan 10, 2024
_
Jimmy Kimmel threatened legal action against Aaron Rodgers after the New York Jets quarterback publicly tied the late-night host to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Days prior to the release of a list of the disgraced financier's associates in January 2023, Aaron suggested that Jimmy's name would show up: "There are a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, really hoping that [list] doesn't come out," Aaron said on Pat McAfee's show.
Jimmy's name, for the record, did not appear on a list or in any court documents tied to Epstein.
Still, Aaron's comments didn't sit well with Jimmy, who promptly responded to the future Hall of Famer on X. Jimmy also later took aim at Aaron on his late night show. Aaron then responded and backtracked.
Click through to see what Jimmy said and what Aaron said, then read on to see how others in the entertainment world are reacting to the new feud between the athlete and the funnyman…
MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more celebrity & entertainment photo galleries and content
_
"Dear A******: for the record, I've not met, flown with, visited, or had any contact whatsoever with Epstein, nor will you find my name on any 'list' other than the clearly-phony nonsense that soft-brained wackos like yourself can't seem to distinguish from reality. Your reckless words put my family in danger. Keep it up and we will debate the facts further in court. @AaronRodgers12," Jimmy Kimmel wrote to Aaron Rodgers on X after the initial comment.
Jimmy wasn't done yet though…
MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more celebrity & entertainment photo galleries and content
_
On Jan. 8, Jimmy Kimmel called on Aaron Rodgers to apologize for insinuating that the late night host had ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
"He said I was hoping it wouldn't and that he was going to pop a bottle of something to celebrate when he did, and then it did come out, and of course, my name wasn't on it and isn't on it, and won't ever be on. I don't know Jeffrey Epstein, I've never met Jeffrey Epstein," the funnyman said in his monologue on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." "I'm not on the list. I was not on a plane or an island or anything ever…"
Jimmy noted that the New York Jets player has every right to speak his mind, but with one distinction.
"And as far as the 'Well, you say things about people all the time' argument goes, yes, I do. It's not the same. It's not even close to the same," Jimmy said. "We say a lot of things on this show. We don't make up lies. In fact, we have a team of people who work very hard to sift through facts and reputable sources before I make a joke, and that's an important distinction — a joke about someone."
Jimmy made it clear that he's hoping for an apology, "which is what Aaron Rodgers should do," he said. "Which is what a decent person would do, but I bet he won't. If he does, you know what I'll do? I'll accept his apology and move on, but he probably won't do that. My guess is that he won't apologize. I hope I'm wrong."
MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more celebrity & entertainment photo galleries and content
_
Jimmy Kimmel was right. Aaron Rodgers didn't apologize, but he did seem to backtrack a bit.
While on Pat McAfee's ESPN show on Jan. 9, the quarterback claimed he never implied that Jimmy's name was on the Epstein list — reports saying he did are "incorrect," Aaron argued.
"I don't think he's the P-word," Aaron said. "I wish him the best. Again, I don't give a s*** what he says about me. As long as he understands what I actually said, and that I'm not accusing him of being on the list."
He continued, "I totally understand how serious an allegation of pedophilia would be, so for him to be upset about that, I get it."
Aaron later chided ESPN for apologizing to Jimmy on behalf of the network. (ABC, which airs "Jimmy Kimmel Live," and ESPN are both part of Disney.)
Still, other notable names weighed in on the Jimmy v Aaron drama…
_
"Jimmy helped me realize my dream of doing comedy. When I met him I was a carpenter/ boxing trainer. He believed in me and for that I will always be grateful. He is the most decent person I have ever met" —Adam Carolla
_
"Why would anyone have this guy on TV?" —Antonio Sabato Jr. of Jimmy Kimmel
_
"What a scumbag — absolute a******" —John Cusack said of Aaron Rodgers
_
"Aaron Rogers should shut the f*** up about doing unethical/ possibly illegal s*** on planes cuz people could have s*** on him?" —Billy Baldwin
_
"I love Jimmy Kimmel. As always Aaron Rodgers is a lying tool." —Tom Arnold
