US late night show host Jimmy Kimmel has apologised for his public feud with Fox News host Sean Hannity in an attempt to end the ongoing war of words between them.
The public spat began last week when Kimmel mocked the first lady Melania Trump's accent during a skit on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
The skit offended Hannity, who slammed Kimmel during a rant on Fox News calling him an "ass-clown" and a "despicable disgrace".
"This is brutal, Liberal Jimmy Kimmel making fun of the first lady of the United States and her involvement during the White House Easter egg roll, Jimmy you are a despicable disgrace," Hannity said.
Kimmel then responded, devoting several minutes to firing back on his own show.
"If I'm an ass clown, you are the whole ass circus," Kimmel said.
It didn't stop there. Hannity then took to Twitter, sharing videos of Kimmel's skits from "The Man Show" - an American comedy Kimmel co-hosted which aired until 2004.
Referring to Kimmel's time on "The Man Show" Hannity dubbed Kimmel "Harvey Weinstein Jr" and a "racist bigot".
Firing back Kimmel responded: "Don't worry - just keep tweeting - you'll get back on top! (or does Trump prefer you on bottom?)
Kimmel's part in the feud then attracted criticism by the Daily Beast who felt his comments were "homophobic".
On Sunday he posted a public apology, saying the "level of vitriol from all sides does nothing good for anyone and, in fact, is harmful to our country".
Kimmel also apologised directly to the LGBTIQ+ community for his jokes aimed at Hannity and Donald Trump.
"By lampooning Sean Hannity's deference to the President, I most certainly did not intend to belittle or upset members of the gay community and to those who took offence, I apologise," his apology read.
He also touched on "vile attacks" against his wife and "wishes for death" on his infant son that he had received as a result of the exchange. He said he hoped the instigators would "give their words and actions thought."
His apology did include some humour, saying he hoped Hannity would also learn from the feud.
"I am hopeful that Sean Hannity will learn from this too and continue his newly-found advocacy for women, immigrants and first ladies and that he will triumph in his heroic battle against sexual harassment and perversion."
Hannity said he planned to respond to Kimmel's apology on Fox News.
- With Variety
