Oz Pearlman Steps Away from ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ After WHCD Shooting, Podcaster Jon Lovett Joins the Lineup

Mentalist Oz Pearlman will not appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live! tonight. He has been replaced by Pod Save America’s Jon Lovett.

The cancellation of Pearlman’s appearance follows the announcement that he was to headline the White House Correspondents Dinner, which was canceled after a shooting occurred at the Washington, DC event.

This change comes on the heels of President Donald Trump expressing dissatisfaction with Kimmel, calling for ABC to “immediately fire” the late-night host.

Lovett is familiar to JKL! viewers, having appeared in February alongside his fellow Pod Save America hosts Tommy Vietor, Dan Pfeiffer, and Jon Favreau.

Lovett, who is no stranger to political humor, will share the stage with actor Anthony Anderson.

Pearlman was present with President Trump during the shooting incident, dropping to the ground before hearing gunshots.

The reasons behind Pearlman’s withdrawal from the show remain unclear; however, he has continued to make media appearances since the event.

He discussed the situation on Fox News’ One Nation with Brian Kilmeade on Sunday, stating, “This is something nefarious and dangerous, and you feel the hairs on your neck starting to lift.”

Pearlman also recounted, “The most surreal moments, potentially of my life, are when President Trump goes down about a foot away from me, and we are side to side, staring into each other’s eyes from a foot away.”

Kimmel has faced an intense day, beginning with First Lady Melania Trump calling for ABC to “take a stand.” This was followed by her husband’s lengthy post on Truth Social, condemning a joke made by Kimmel last week, in which he suggested she had the glow of an “expectant widow.”

More updates on Kimmel’s response are expected later.