Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel threatened to sue NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Tuesday after the football player mentioned Kimmel in a conversation about disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Kimmel said Rodgers had spoken recklessly and that his works could put Kimmel’s family in danger.
“Dear Aasshole: 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,” Kimmel wrote in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
“Your reckless words put my family in danger. Keep it up and we will debate the facts further in court.”
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Rodgers during an appearance on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” earlier Tuesday, had spoken about Kimmel in connection to the list, saying, “There’s a lot of people — including Jimmy Kimmel — that are really hoping that list doesn’t come out.”
Rodgers has a history of making controversial comments on matters of public health and current events. The New York Jets quarterback has advocated for unproven treatments for the coronavirus and spoken openly about his opposition to vaccines.
He and Kimmel also have some history, which could explain why Rodgers mentioned the talk-show host.
Kimmel previously criticized Rodgers over his commentary on Epstein, calling him a “tin foil hatter” and joking on his late night show that Rodgers should consider that it “might be time to revisit that concussion protocol.”
A federal judge is expected to soon unseal documents from a lawsuit against Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died by suicide in prison. The documents are expected to include a list of associates of the disgraced financier.