Jimmy Kimmel Defends Dr. Fauci Amid Attacks From Conservative 'Screwballs'

Jimmy Kimmel has finally had it with the right's non-stop attacks on Dr. Anthony Fauci. On Tuesday, the ABC host offered an impassioned defense of the infectious disease scientist, who is now being targeted by the likes of Sen. Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson for saying he "represents science" in a recent CBS interview.

"If you've been watching Fox News, you know that the real enemy isn't the virus or the do-my-own-research geniuses who refuse to get the vaccine. The real enemy is Dr. Fauci," Kimmel said, before playing a series of clips of right-wing figures criticizing Fauci. "Let me tell you screwballs something about Dr. Fauci. 'Cause I've had enough of this, and he's too nice to say this himself: this man has been working on behalf of the public for more than fifty years! He served under six presidents."

"To suggest that his politics have anything to do with his work or what he recommends is ridiculous. And it's a lie. And he doesn't deserve it," continued the late night host. "He didn't ask for this! He's not a politician, he's a doctor. His interest is in protecting us from disease."

For Fauci's efforts to address the AIDS crisis, Ebola and COVID-19, "what does he get?" asked Kimmel. "He gets scumbags like Ted Cruz, like Rand Paul, like that vile inflatable Macy's Parade balloon of dog shit Tucker Carlson making up lies!" he added. "Dr. Fauci has probably done more good for the world than all of us combined."

"He is a brilliant public servant who these monsters now threaten and accuse and slander and put in real danger with these disgusting lies," concluded Kimmel. "These nutjobs who follow them are threatening him. A man who is trying to keep us alive is getting death threats. Can you imagine that?"

Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs weeknights at 11:35 PM ET on ABC.

Claire Spellberg Lustig is the Senior Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.