President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have both called on ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel after the late-night host made a morbid joke about the first lady during a recent episode of his show. The remark, which described Melania Trump as having “the glow of an expectant widow,” was part of a comedic routine aired on Thursday’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” The routine simulated a performance at the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner, an event that was later cut short on Saturday when an armed man attempted to breach the ballroom where the Trumps and other political leaders were gathered.
Trump Family Reacts Strongly
In a social media post on Monday, Melania Trump expressed her outrage, stating, “People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate.” Her husband echoed this sentiment on his Truth Social platform, saying, “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.” The President demanded that Kimmel be “immediately fired” by ABC and its parent company, Walt Disney Co.
The first lady also criticized Kimmel for his “hateful and violent rhetoric,” accusing him of hiding behind the network. “A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him,” she wrote. “Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand.”
Background of Tensions
Jimmy Kimmel has long been a target of President Trump’s ire, frequently mocking the president in his comedy routines. The tension escalated last fall when Kimmel was suspended by ABC and some affiliates after a comment about assassinated conservative leader Charlie Kirk—a move encouraged by Trump’s FCC chairman, Brendan Carr. Kimmel was later reinstated following backlash from the network and stations.
In Thursday’s routine, Kimmel, dressed in a tuxedo and standing behind a podium, pretended to deliver a speech at the WHCA dinner. The segment included fake “cutaways” to the Trumps and others, using video clips. Referring to Melania in the “audience,” Kimmel said, “Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.” He also made a joke about her birthday, saying, “She’s planning to celebrate at home the same way she always does — looking out a window and whispering, ‘What have I done?’” Additionally, he quipped, “Before we go any further, Melania, this is Donald. Donald, this is Melania. That was my impression of Jeffrey Epstein.”
White House Weighs In
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned Kimmel’s remarks, stating they were part of a broader campaign of rhetoric from Democrats and media figures that “has helped to legitimize this violence.” She questioned, “Who in their right mind says a wife would be glowing over the potential murder of her beloved husband?” However, there was no indication that Kimmel’s joke directly referenced violence.
The WHCA dinner on Saturday was disrupted when Cole Tomas Allen, a California man, was arrested after attempting to rush into the ballroom. He was charged with the attempted assassination of the president. ABC has not yet commented on the Trumps’ demands for Kimmel’s dismissal.
