Just over a week ago, Jimmy Kimmel shared a heartbreaking and inspiring story with the world.
He fought back tears on stage while he told his audience about the emergency heart surgery his newborn son, Billy, was forced to go through just three days after entering the world.
It was a candid, emotional, memorable and unique moment, one in which a celebrity came across as nothing more than a loving and frightened father…
… and it somehow earned Kimmel some criticism from various Republicans.
This is because Kimmel concluded his monologue with a plea for a national healthcare package that would ensure all babies had the same chance his did.
He said that no one"s income level should determine whether or not their child receives the best medical attention possible.
How is this a controversial stance?
Ask the Congressman who mocked folks for caring about Kimmel"s situation; or the columnist who referred to him as an "elitist creep."
On Monday night, Kimmel gave fans an update on little Billy, while also addressing comments such as these.
“One week ago tonight, I made an emotional speech – that was seen by millions – and as a result of my powerful words, Republicans in Congress had second thoughts about repeal and replace, they realized that what is right is right -– and I saved health insurance in America!” Kimmel.
Wait, he joked, adding:
“Oh, I didn’t? They voted against it anyway? I really need to pay more attention to the news.”
The father of four then thanked his fans, especially those who donations made to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in the last week.
“What a humbling outpouring of support," he said.
So many people made donations to CHLA and my wife and I are very grateful for them. Our plan is to send a card to everyone who made a donation and there were a lot, so you might be getting those at Christmas time.”
As for critics such as Newt Gingrich, who claimed Kimmel is simply mistaken in his views because all hospitals would perform emergency surgery on a baby?
"Yes, it is true that if you have an emergency they will do an operation, and that’s terrific if your baby’s health problems are all solved during that one visit," the comedian shot back, adding:
"The only problem is that never, ever happens… We’ve had a dozen doctor’s appointments since our son had surgery. You have a cardiologist, a pediatrician, the surgeons, some kids need an ambulance to transport them – and that doesn’t even count parents who have to miss work for all this stuff."
Kimmel, who did not grow up rich, also said the following about those who referred to him as "elitist" and "out of touch."
I can"t even count the number of times I"ve been called an "out of touch Hollywood elitist creep" this week. Which, I have to say, I kind of appreciate.
Because when I was a kid, we had to drink powdered milk because we couldn’t afford the liquid. Our orange juice came frozen out of a can, it would squeeze out.
My father – on the rare occasion we took a family trip – would hide our dog in the back of the car and then smuggle it into our motel room to avoid paying the two-dollar pet fee.
So I have to say, my dream was to become an "out of touch Hollywood elitist." And I guess it came true.
Watch Kimmel"s full monologue in response to his critics below:
