Donald Trump has again called on ABC to “immediately fire” Jimmy Kimmel, this time over a joke that the late-night host made last week about First Lady Melania Trump being an expectant widow.
The quip, made during a monologue skit on Thursday, has drawn new attention following Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. Trump and first lady Melania Trump, along with other administration officials, were rushed off the dais in the aftermath, as attendees got on the floor or under tables until it was clear.
Trump posted on Truth Social on Monday, “Wow, Jimmy Kimmel, who is in no way funny as attested to by his terrible Television Ratings, made a statement on his Show that is really shocking. He showed a fake video of the First Lady, Melania, and our son, Barron, like they were actually sitting in his studio, listening to him speak, which they weren’t, and never would be. He then stated, “Our First Lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.” A day later a lunatic tried entering the ballroom of the White House Correspondents Dinner, loaded up with a shotgun, handgun, and many knives. He was there for a very obvious and sinister reason. I appreciate that so many people are incensed by Kimmel’s despicable call to violence, and normally would not be responsive to anything that he said but, this is something far beyond the pale. Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
The first lady railed against Kimmel earlier on Monday, calling on the network to “take a stand” against him. ABC has not yet commented.
Kimmel’s skit on Thursday had him giving his own “alternative” monologue to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, with archival clips of reaction shots from the first lady, Trump and others.
Kimmel said, “Our First Lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.”
The suspect, Cole Allen, is expected to appear in court Monday. He reportedly left writings, referred to as a manifesto, in which he talked of targeting Trump administration officials. The New York Post published the manifesto in full.
In September, Kimmel made comments about the response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk (watch it here), a quip that ignited fierce criticism on the right.
A day later, FCC chairman Brendan Carr criticized Kimmel’s comments and told a podcaster that “we can do this the easy way or the hard way,” a warning to broadcasters who hold licenses regulated by the agency. Hours later, ABC announced that it was sidelining Jimmy Kimmel Live!, as two major station groups, Nexstar and Sinclair, decided to preempt it.
After a backlash, Kimmel was restored to the network airwaves a few days later, and he returned to the broadcast group stations after that.
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