As you’ve no doubt seen or heard by now, on Monday night Jimmy Kimmel opened up his show by emotionally telling the story of how his son William had been born with a heart defect on Friday April 21, requiring the newborn infant to go through open heart surgery. Kimmel’s story has struck a chord with many, and not simply because it was difficult to get through his 13 minute monologue with a dry eye.
Given Trump’s goal of dismantling the Affordable Care Act, Kimmel tearfully told his audience, “If your baby is going to die, and it doesn’t have to, it shouldn’t matter how much money you make. I think that’s something that whether you’re a Democrat or Republican or something else — we all agree on that.” By bravely opening up the way he did, many are speculating that Kimmel may ultimately help change the conversation on the way we talk about health care.
And on Monday, there was no shortage of celebrities and politicians who came out to wish Kimmel and his family well, including even former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. In other words, you might want to grab onto some tissues because it’s about to get a little dusty in here.
Well said, Jimmy. That's exactly why we fought so hard for the ACA, and why we need to protect it for kids like Billy. And congratulations! https://t.co/77F8rZrD3P
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 2, 2017
Watch & prepare to tear up. Thanks @jimmykimmel for sharing your story & reminding us what's at stake w/health care.https://t.co/2kTEeUEG2f
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 2, 2017
Please watch this. This is beautiful. Laid me out. https://t.co/I5jeyflEBh
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) May 2, 2017
A touching & most powerful monologue from my friend@jimmykimmel &it has a happy ending.I love him & his whole family.https://t.co/T2mEQh14j6
— Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) May 2, 2017
Through tears, a powerful message. https://t.co/JvlyummT25
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) May 2, 2017
Things got a bit dusty in the Meyers' house this morning. Love to the entire Kimmel family. https://t.co/1VlaTMn2SP
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) May 2, 2017
This. Thank you @jimmykimmel https://t.co/Sfm25Sw7lk
— Sarah Hyland (@Sarah_Hyland) May 2, 2017
All the light and love to you and your family @jimmykimmel! Please donate to @ChildrensLA and help save lives. https://t.co/BYCyo214h0
— Sarah Hyland (@Sarah_Hyland) May 2, 2017
Sending love to the always wonderful @jimmykimmel and @mollymcnearney in spite of them snubbing the #MetGala.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) May 2, 2017
All jokes aside, thank you for this @jimmykimmel. You are a gem. https://t.co/u88w3pJGIt
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) May 2, 2017
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/YQVQHnRyzU
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) May 2, 2017
Thank you @jimmykimmel for your honesty, your words, your bravery. All should watch this!!! https://t.co/HixCTVxqLQ
— christina applegate (@1capplegate) May 2, 2017
Love you @jimmykimmel https://t.co/pXxnsOoMiG
— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) May 2, 2017
Welcome, Billy Kimmel! You have amazing parents – funny, kind, beautiful. Your dad has some good qualities too. @JimmyKimmel @MollyMcNearney
— Ellen DeGeneres (@EllenDeGeneres) May 2, 2017
This just made me sob https://t.co/tOe4dfoFev
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) May 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/Tom_Bergeron/status/859283347503144960
The host also took a few moments to thank fans for the outpouring of support. He’ll be taking the rest of the week off to spend time with his family, and will have guest hosts filling in for the meantime.
on behalf of my family, thank you for the lovely and loving tweets about our son Billy and for your donations to https://t.co/HOIUvNt8WE XO
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) May 2, 2017
sincere thanks for the outpouring of love & support – Dr. Jane is keeping a close ear on Billy, who is very well – XO pic.twitter.com/QgSUminhmg
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) May 2, 2017