Why Aaron Rodgers is beefing with Jimmy Kimmel over Jeffrey Epstein

Angle down iconAn icon in the shape of an angle pointing down. Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Kimmel. Rich Storry/Getty Images; Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty Images

• Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Kimmel are publicly feuding about Jeffrey Epstein.
• Rodgers suggested the late-night host had ties to the convicted sex offender on ESPN's "The Pat McAfee Show."
• Kimmel threatened to pursue legal action if Rodgers continued to make "reckless" claims. McAfee apologized.

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Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Kimmel are in a public spat regarding the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

During a recent appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," Rodgers made a comment suggesting Kimmel had ties to Epstein while discussing the impending release of court documents concerning the disgraced financier who died by suicide in 2019.

The "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" host denied any contact with Epstein and is threatening legal action against Rodgers if he continues to make further claims.

McAfee apologized for the remarks on Wednesday's episode of his show. The host said he believed Rodgers was simply "trying to shit talk."

Representatives for both Kimmel and Rodgers did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

Here's why Kimmel and the New York Jets quarterback are feuding.

Rodgers suggested Kimmel's name will be on a 'list' of Epstein associates on 'The Pat McAfee Show'

Pat McAfee, Aaron Rogers, and AJ Hawk on the January 2, 2024 episode of "The Pat McAfee Show." ESPN

Every Tuesday, Rodgers appears on the ESPN daily sports talk show. During this week's episode, the conversation briefly pivoted from the Super Bowl logo to the impending release of a "list" of Epstein's known associates.

Rodgers said, "There's a lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, that are really hoping that doesn't come out."

"If that list comes out, I definitely will be popping some sort of bottle," Rodgers added.

There isn't an actual Epstein client list being released. As Business Insider's Jacob Shamsian reported, the names of more than 170 Epstein associates were unsealed on Wednesday in court documents following a December ruling.

Shamsian reported we've seen many of these records before and that while some names may be of powerful people, many are expected to be names of Epstein's victims and household staff.

Rodgers' claim may have been in response to Kimmel's previous joke at his expense in March 2023

McAfee pointed out on Tuesday's show that Rodgers was likely making a jab at the late-night host for a joke made on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" early last year at the football player's expense.

In a clip uploaded to X, formerly Twitter, on March 2, 2023, Kimmel called Rodgers a "tin foil hatter" for bringing up a potential Epstein client list on the ESPN show.

It's not the first time Kimmel has joked about Rodgers on his ABC show.

Kimmel has poked fun at Rodgers' COVID-19 vaccine comments and stance dating back to November 2021 after the football star claimed to be "immunized" and tested positive months later.

At that time, it was revealed Rodgers had never been vaccinated.

"The only thing worse than not getting vaccinated when you're in close proximity with other people is letting them think you're vaccinated when you're not," Kimmel said. "It's basically the COVID equivalent of the condom fell off."

Rodgers later told Joe Rogan in 2022 that he didn't get the COVID-19 vaccine due to an allergy, but admitted to misleading the public and media about his vaccination status.

Rodgers' recent comment seems more like a poor joke attempt, which, on a public forum like "The Pat McAfee" show, has the risk of being misconstrued without context.

Kimmel responded to Rodgers' claims on X, denying any affiliation with Epstein

Jimmy Kimmel addressed Rodgers on X, formerly Twitter. Screenshot via "Jimmy Kimmel Live"/YouTube

After the "McAfee Show" clip went viral, Kimmel posted a response on X in which he denounced Rodgers' "reckless words," denied any association with Epstein, and threatened legal action.

"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. "Your reckless words put my family in danger. Keep it up and we will debate the facts further in court."

McAfee apologized for Rodgers' Epstein comment

McAfee kicked off his talk show Wednesday by addressing the ongoing feud.

Pat McAfee addresses the Rodgers and Kimmel controversy at the top of his January 3, 2024 show. ESPN

While apologizing to Kimmel, McAfee said he believed "Aaron was just trying to talk shit."

"We obviously don't like the fact that we're associated with anything negative ever," McAfee said. "We like our show to be an uplifting one, a happy one, a fun one. But it's because we talk shit and try to make light of everything, some things obviously people get very pissed off about, especially when they're that serious allegations. So we apologize for being a part of it."

McAfee said he understood why Kimmel was upset and hoped he and Rodgers could work it out.

"I also think Aaron is like, 'Hey, this guy has said some stuff about me in his monologue,' and he's just trying to shit talk," McAfee said. "I don't think he meant anything else, but he's gonna have to clarify that for us."