The video I embedded here last night with the opening of Jimmy Kimmel's return has received over 10,000,000 views on YouTube — and that wasn't even the only copy of it on YouTube or the only place to watch it online. It may turn out to be one of the most-watched things on television in a long, long time…and that's without clearances in something like 25% of the country. Should serve as a good reminder to the networks that they don't have as much control over what we watch as they once did.
I thought Kimmel rose to the awkward occasion nicely. He was conciliatory without admitting that his attackers were right in their attack and he made clear that he ain't changing his act because of it. As I've said, I've never been a fan of this guy but he did a good job last night.
Trump had a terrible day yesterday. His appearance at the United Nations, as Fred Kaplan explains, was a humiliating display by a man who doesn't seem to know or care when he's humiliating himself. If Joe Biden had ever delivered a speech like that, every single Trump supporter would be screaming about senility and demanding they take The Button away from that man and end his presidency, A.S.A.P.
Trump continues to deteriorate before our eyes and to say things that verify so much of what his detractors say about him. I don't expect a major defection of supporters. That won't happen until they see a viable alternative leader to follow. But if I were a Republican senator or congressguy or anyone who wants a future in office, I'd sure be looking for an escape route from being dragged down to defeat by this guy.
And now, all that said, I'm going to spend the rest of my day trying not to think about Donald J. Trump. If you haven't tried that, you might find it helpful.