First-time Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel turned US President Donald Trump into a comic foil in absentia at the Academy Awards, poking fun at the political tumult roiling the United States and the world since the former reality TV star took office. Aside from a string of running gags throughout the live telecast about Kimmel’s faux feud with his long-time pal, actor Matt Damon, the 45th US president proved to be Kimmel’s favourite leitmotif.