Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore and late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel got into a Twitter spat on Thursday that quickly became personal.
The war of words began when "Jimmy Kimmel Live" regular Jake Byrd, a fictional character and trickster played by comedian Tony Barbieri, flew down to Alabama to interrupt a Wednesday night church service where Moore was speaking.
The next day, Moore tweeted out a Breitbart article detailing his campaign's views on the incident along with a message challenging Kimmel to a confrontation.
"[Jimmy Kimmel] If you want to mock our Christian values, come down here to Alabama and do it man to man," Moore wrote.
https://twitter.com/MooreSenate/status/936315009424031746
That night on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," the comedian jokingly accepted Moore's invitation, and proceeded to take jabs at the sexual misconduct accusations against the candidate.
A Washington Post report from last month described the stories of four women, who said that Moore pursued relationships with them while they were teenagers and he was in his 30s. One of the women said that she was 14 when he pursued her and initiated a sexual encounter. At least five more women have come forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct or assault since the initial report.
Moore's campaign has painted the allegations as politically motivated.
Kimmel jabbed Moore over the accusations, referencing reports that the former judge was banned from a mall in the early 1980s for trying to pick up teenage girls.
"But the bottom line is this: I accept the invitation; I will come down there," Kimmel said. "What I'm going to do is—and I think you're going actually to like this, Roy—I'm going to come to Gadsden, Alabama with a team of high school cheerleaders, OK? We'll meet you at the mall. Don't worry, I can get you in."
Kimmel said that if Moore could control "little Roy" in his "little cowboy pants," they would sit down at the mall food court and discuss Christian values.
"And I don't know if it fits your stereotype, but I happen to be a Christian, too … Christian is actually my middle name. I know that's shocking, but it's true," Kimmel said.
Earlier on Twitter, Kimmel said that he would be happy to meet and discuss Christian values with Moore—as soon as he acquired them.
"Sounds great Roy—let me know when you get some Christian values and I'll be there!" Kimmel tweeted.
Sounds great Roy - let me know when you get some Christian values and I’ll be there!
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) November 30, 2017
Moore responded by attacking the "bigotry towards southerners" that elites in Hollywood and Washington, D.C. hold.
"Despite D.C. and Hollywood Elites' bigotry towards southerners, Jimmy, we'll save you a seat on the front pew," Moore tweeted.
Despite D.C. and Hollywood Elites' bigotry towards southerners, Jimmy, we'll save you a seat on the front pew.
— Judge Roy Moore (@MooreSenate) November 30, 2017
Kimmel accepted the invitation, but said he would leave his daughters at home, joking about the sexual misconduct allegations against Moore.
"OK Roy, but I'm leaving my daughters at home!" Kimmel tweeted. "P.S.—wear that cute little leather vest."
OK Roy, but I'm leaving my daughters at home! P.S. - wear that cute little leather vest https://t.co/scweglm2Fg
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) November 30, 2017
Kimmel also tweeted the YouTube video of Byrd's visit to Moore in Alabama. Byrd came in as a satirical avid supporter of Moore and jokingly came to his defense when protesters interrupted him at the church Wednesday night.
"A sample of Jake Byrd's friendly visit to support Roy @MooreSenate in Alabama," Kimmel tweeted with the video. "MORE MOORE LATER TONIGHT!"
A sample of Jake Byrd's friendly visit to support Roy @MooreSenate in Alabama https://t.co/ZmbZbgRhT5 MORE MOORE LATER TONIGHT!
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) November 30, 2017
There have been some disparities between Moore and Kimmel's accounts of what happened. Moore, for example, called the church gathering a worship service, while Kimmel called it a political rally.
Kimmel on Friday tweeted out the clip of his Thursday night monologue on Moore with the message, "If Roy Moore @MooreSenate actually wants to fight, meet me at the Gadsden Mall—1001 Rainbow Drive. I'll be the one in the Girl Scout uniform."
If Roy Moore @MooreSenate actually wants to fight, meet me at the Gadsden Mall - 1001 Rainbow Drive. I'll be the one in the Girl Scout uniform... pic.twitter.com/mq053SiekV
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) December 1, 2017