Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has invited Portlanders to show the world what their so-called “war-torn” city really looks like — and his call is quickly going viral.
During his Wednesday night monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the comedian took aim at President Donald Trump’s depiction of Portland as a “war-ravaged” city — a narrative the administration has used to justify its attempts to deploy National Guard troops in several major U.S. cities, including Portland, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Kimmel, known for blending political satire with pop culture humor, used his platform to push back against what he described as fear-driven exaggerations.
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“Trump and his buddies on the right-wing media are talking about Portland like it’s a scene from The Last of Us,” Kimmel quipped. “When the reality is, this is what these troops are being called in to stop.”
Portland’s Protests Get a Comic Spotlight
To drive his point home, Kimmel played two short video clips from recent demonstrations outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Portland — the same site that has been at the center of protests over federal immigration enforcement and Trump’s militarization plans.
The footage showed protesters in inflatable animal costumes dancing to Farruko’s “Pepas” and the disco anthem “Y.M.C.A.” by the Village People.
“They’re taking back Y.M.C.A.,” Kimmel laughed. “We’re reclaiming our Village People in Portland!”
The moment drew cheers from his studio audience and quickly spread online, with Portland residents responding enthusiastically to Kimmel’s good-natured ribbing.
The #ShowMeYourHellhole Challenge
Kimmel then issued a challenge to Portlanders — and residents of any city Trump has described as “war zones” or “hellholes.”
“Make a video of your ‘war-torn’ community and post it to YouTube with the hashtag #ShowMeYourHellhole,” Kimmel said. “We want to see all the horrors the administration is defending you from.”
He encouraged participants to share clips that highlight daily life — from scenic parks and small businesses to neighborhoods thriving despite political rhetoric.
The segment was both a comedic jab and a pointed critique of how media narratives can distort reality. “We’re looking forward to seeing these so-called battlefields,” Kimmel added, tongue-in-cheek.
Portlanders Already Have Experience With This
The city’s residents are no strangers to refuting political hyperbole with humor and charm. Last month, after Trump claimed that living in Portland was like “living in hell,” locals — along with Oregon-based news outlets — responded en masse with videos of farmers markets, bike rides along the Willamette River, forest trails, and bustling cafes.
Those clips, shared widely on TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), painted a far different picture than Trump’s dystopian claims. Many used the trending tag #ThisIsPortland to showcase the city’s natural beauty, creative spirit, and civic engagement.
Now, with Kimmel’s new hashtag challenge, residents are once again stepping up to celebrate their city’s resilience — and its humor.
Comedy Meets Civic Pride
Kimmel’s campaign has struck a chord beyond Oregon. Early Thursday, social media feeds began filling with scenic footage tagged #ShowMeYourHellhole, not just from Portland but from other cities the administration has cited as examples of “urban decay.”
One TikTok user filmed themselves sipping coffee beside Portland’s Hawthorne Bridge with the caption, “Still waiting for the apocalypse.” Another posted a video from Forest Park with the caption, “Day 47 in the war zone: the squirrels have taken control.”
The lighthearted rebellion underscores Portland’s tradition of responding to criticism with creativity rather than confrontation.
More Than a Punchline
While Kimmel’s monologue was meant to entertain, it also highlighted a serious point about political rhetoric and misinformation. His “#ShowMeYourHellhole” challenge has transformed into a viral reminder that, for all the political drama surrounding Portland, the city remains — in the eyes of its residents — vibrant, quirky, and proudly defiant.
As Kimmel signed off, he added one last note of encouragement:
“Send us your videos. We have a sneaking suspicion they’ll be beautiful.”
