Jimmy Kimmel Slams 'Reckless' Aaron Rodgers, Threatens to Sue Him Over Claims of Ties to Jeffrey Epstein

The talk show host dismissed any connection to Epstein as "clearly-phony nonsense"

Jimmy Kimmel is threatening to take Aaron Rodgers to court following claims the athlete made about the talk show host having ties with Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who died by suicide while awaiting trial on federal conspiracy and sex trafficking charges

On Tuesday, Rodgers, 40, appeared on the Pat McAfee Show, where Rodgers and the hosts began discussing the impending release of a list containing names of high-profile people rumored to be associated with Epstein.

Related: Jeffrey Epstein Threatened Bill Gates Over Alleged Affair with Russian Bridge Player: Report

“A lot of people, including Jimmy Kimmel, are hoping that doesn’t come out,” the New York Jets quarterback said in a clip that became widely shared on social media.

After learning of the clip, Kimmel posted his response on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“Dear [Aa--hole]: 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. Your reckless words put my family in danger. Keep it up and we will debate the facts further in court. @AaronRodgers12,” the Jimmy Kimmel Live! host tweeted. 

His tweet included the interview clip and came just hours after Rodgers’ words went viral.

PEOPLE reached out to reps for both Kimmel and Rodgers for comment, but did not immediately hear back. Disney is the parent company of ABC, which airs Jimmy Kimmel Live and ESPN, which airs The Pat McAfee Show.

According to multiple sources, U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska will soon be releasing more than 200 names believed to be associated with the registered sex offender, who died by suicide after hanging himself inside a jail cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City in August 2019.

ABC News said Preska ordered the unsealing to begin after Jan. 1.

The list will reportedly include former employees of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, or people who had flown on his planes, such as Britain's Prince Andrew and former President Bill Clinton, the outlet said.

Related: What to Know About the Jeffrey Epstein Sex Abuse Case and Prince Andrew's Ties to Him

“I’ll tell you what, if that list comes out, I definitely will be popping some sort of bottle,” Rodgers continued in the interview.

McAfee, 36, then reminded his viewers that the football star’s statements were seemingly in response to a joke Kimmel made on air in March about a previous McAfee segment Rodgers appeared on.

Kimmel describe the segment as “Green Bay Wack Packer Aaron Rodgers” and the “tin foil hatters” discussing aliens, UFOs, and Epstein. Once the video ended, Kimmel said, “It might be time to revisit that concussion protocol, Aaron."

In June 2022, Maxwell, Epstein’s associate and former girlfriend, 62, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking.

She’d previously been found guilty of recruiting, enticing and transporting minors to engage in illegal sex acts with Epstein. Some of the victims were as young as 14.

"It was Ghislaine who was the real enforcer," Sarah Ransome, an Epstein survivor, told PEOPLE in 2021. "She was the enforcer. She was the groomer. She controlled everything."

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

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