Melania Trump has demanded that ABC take a stand after a joke by Jimmy Kimmel resurfaced following a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The First Lady criticised the late-night host for what she called 'hateful and violent rhetoric'.
Kimmel's joke sparks controversy
During the Thursday episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! last week, the host parodied the upcoming White House Correspondents' Dinner. He joked that First Lady Melania Trump had the glow of an 'expectant widow'. The comment was made just days before a gunman opened fire at the annual event in Washington, D.C., on Saturday.
Melania's response
In a post on X, Melania Trump wrote: '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 deepen the political sickness within America.' She added: 'People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate. A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him.'
She concluded: 'Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand. How many times will ABC’s leadership enable Kimmel’s atrocious behavior at the expense of our community?'
Shooting details
The suspected shooter, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, was apprehended at the scene. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that investigators believe Allen was targeting members of President Donald Trump's administration.
More to follow.
