Donald Trump has renewed his calls for ABC and Disney to fire Jimmy Kimmel, escalating a feud that began after the late-night host made a joke about Melania Trump becoming a widow. The joke was made shortly before the White House Correspondents Dinner, which was disrupted by a man later charged with attempting to assassinate the president.
In a post on Truth Social on April 30, Trump wrote: “When is ABC Fake News Network firing seriously unfunny Jimmy Kimmel, who incompetently presides over one of the Lowest Rated shows on Television? People are angry. It better be soon!!! President DJT.”
The call followed Kimmel’s April 29 monologue, in which he quipped about the Trumps’ hand-holding during a meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla. Kimmel had earlier, on April 27, defended his “expectant widow” joke, saying it was “a very light roast joke about the fact that he’s almost 80 and she’s younger than I am. It was not by any stretch of the definition a call to assassination.”
Melania Trump had previously called for Kimmel’s firing on X, stating: “Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country. His monologue about my family isn’t comedy — his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America.” She added that Kimmel “hides behind ABC” and that it was “time for ABC to take a stand.”
Donald Trump also posted after the dinner, referencing the suspect’s attempt to enter the ballroom with weapons, and said: “Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC.” Kimmel responded by saying he has been vocal against gun violence and suggested Trump should have a conversation with his wife about hateful rhetoric.
