It should be obvious that the reason why the Pentagon is asking for $200 billion amid the war in Iran is to replenish its munition stockpiles after expending several air-defense interceptor missiles, standoff weapons, and other high-tech weapons and to build up the industrial base to lessen concerns about magazine depth going forward. However, late night comedy’s two Jimmies had a hard time grasping this simple truth on Thursday as ABC’s Kimmel suggested using the money to bribe President Trump to resign instead, while NBC’s Fallon mused on The Tonight Show that Trump would use the money on the ballroom.
Kimmel was almost dumbstruck by the request, “And this excursion of his that everyone his world keeps saying isn’t going to go on forever, well, the Defense Department just put in a request to fund the war for—are you ready— $200 billion. That's billion with a B. And insane with a D and a J and a T.”
The Jimmies don't understand why the Pentagon might need some more money. Kimmel retorts "the Defense Department just put in a request to fund the war for—are you ready— $200 billion. That's billion with a B. And insane with a D and a J and a T. Trump said it's a small price to… pic.twitter.com/rKqz2cZAz8
— Alex Christy (@alexchristy17) March 20, 2026
Trump said it's 'a small price to pay to make sure we stay tippy top.' That's right. Our president uses the words “tippy top” to describe our military. But I have an idea. Instead of spending it on weapons to drop on foreign countries, let's just offer Trump 100 billion of it to go away… Listen, Mr. President, you don't have to sell any more hats, any more Bibles. It's cash up front. Just go back to Florida and congeal.”
Meanwhile, Fallon brought out his Trump voice as he quipped, “Well, guys, this is big. Today the White House asked Congress to give them $200 billion in additional funding for the war in Iran. Yeah, $200 billion. President Trump heard and was like, ‘Iran must be getting one hell of a ballroom. That's ballroom money.’"
In reality, the money will go to ensuring national security and protecting America’s servicemen and women. The supplemental request is not proof that the war is going badly but that defending the U.S. costs money.
Here is a transcript for the March 19 shows:
ABC Jimmy Kimmel Live
3/19/2026
11:41 PM ET
JIMMY KIMMEL: And this excursion of his that everyone his world keeps saying isn’t going to go on forever, well, the Defense Department just put in a request to fund the war for—are you ready— $200 billion. That's billion with a B. And insane with a D and a J and a T.
Trump said it's “a small price to pay to make sure we stay tippy top.” That's right. Our president uses the words “tippy top” to describe our military. But I have an idea. Instead of spending it on weapons to drop on foreign countries, let's just offer Trump 100 billion of it to go away. His contractor, he'd take it, right? Listen, Mr. President, you don't have to sell any more hats, any more Bibles. It's cash up front. Just go back to Florida and congeal.
***
NBC The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
3/19/2026
11:35 PM ET
JIMMY FALLON: Well, guys, this is big. Today the White House asked Congress to give them $200 billion in additional funding for the war in Iran. Yeah, $200 billion. President Trump heard and was like, [Trump voice] "Iran must be getting one hell of a ballroom. That's ballroom money."
