President Donald Trump used a lighthearted joke about his age gap with Melania Trump while welcoming King Charles III to the White House on Tuesday, days after calling for comedian Jimmy Kimmel to be fired over a similar joke.
During a formal arrival ceremony on the South Lawn, Trump reminisced about his Scottish-born mother's 63-year marriage. Turning to the first lady, seated with Queen Camilla, he said, 'That's a record we won't be able to match, darling.' He added with a chuckle, 'We'll do well, but we're not going to do that well.'
The joke referenced the 24-year age difference between Trump, 79, and Melania, 55. The couple married in 2005 after meeting in 1998 when she was a 28-year-old model and he was a 52-year-old real estate mogul.
Trump's quip came after he demanded ABC fire Kimmel for a joke during a mock White House Correspondents' Dinner roast, where Kimmel described Melania as having 'a glow like an expectant widow.' Following a recent assassination attempt, the Trumps recast Kimmel's comment as advocating violence. Melania called Kimmel a 'coward' on X, while Trump accused him of calling for his death.
ABC aired Kimmel's show as usual on Monday, prompting FCC Chair Brendan Carr to order early review of broadcast licenses for Disney-owned stations in major markets.
