ESPN Star Mina Kimes Issues Clear 'Warning'

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Holleran | Last updated May 6, 2026 8:39 PM ET

It's been a big week for Mina Kimes.

The ESPN NFL analyst was named the next host of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Kimes, who competed in spelling bees growing up, is extremely proud to be taking over the hosting duties of the iconic competition.

Kimes, whose hiring was announced Tuesday, is the first celebrity host of the competition since Levar Burton did it in 2022. The bee is aired live by ION and Bounce. It previously aired on ESPN.

“My goal in this is to give it the big-game feel,” Kimes told The Associated Press in an interview ahead of the announcement. “Any event that requires skill and knowledge and preparation can have that feel if it’s presented with enough care and pride on television.”

Kimes is making more headlines on Wednesday night.

John Nacion/Getty Images

Unfortunately, as a woman on TV, Kimes faces inappropriate comments about her looks.

"Congrats on being pregnant again… can definitely tell in your face," one fan said.

"Is mina pregnant again? Her face is looking very bloated," another added.

Kimes went after him.

https://t.co/k79IGQfIUw pic.twitter.com/wQrWvrFlua
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) May 6, 2026

Kimes' response was liked more than 8,000 times, as her response tweet received more than 500,000 views.

She also had strong words for another critic: "Is this the account that got embarrassed so badly, you pretended to quit this app? Or am I confusing you with someone else."

The men who made the inappropriate comments have clearly been "warned" in proper form: do not go after Kimes.

Kimes and her supporters send clear warning

If you go after Mina Kimes on social media, she will call you out publicly, as her defenders rush to rip you - and deservedly so, in this case.

NFL reporter Mike Freeman shared: "Mina Kimes just roasts all the losers on this app. I mean, just destroys people. Why would you even go after her. It’s a losing proposition."

Another shared: "Mina is the real ."

Kimes might be famous on TV, but that's not stopping her from going after offensive fans on social media, either.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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