Jimmy Kimmel Defends Melania Joke After Trump Demands ABC Fire Him

Jimmy Kimmel Responds to Calls for Firing by Trumps

Jimmy Kimmel is firing back at Donald and Melania Trump’s demands for his dismissal by Disney and ABC. The President and First Lady took to social media to criticize Kimmel for a joke he made at Melania’s expense during a sketch on the April 23 episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” The joke, made during a mock White House Correspondents Dinner hosted by Kimmel, referred to Melania as having the glow of an “expectant widow,” sparking outrage among Trump and his supporters after a real shooting incident forced the end of the actual White House Correspondents Dinner on April 25.

Responding to the backlash, Kimmel addressed the situation on his show, stating that the joke was merely about the age difference between Trump and Melania and was not meant to incite violence. He emphasized his stance against gun violence and hateful rhetoric, suggesting that a conversation with Trump about toning down divisive language would be a good starting point.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump called for Kimmel’s immediate termination, citing the joke and its alleged connection to the subsequent shooting incident. Melania also condemned Kimmel’s remarks, labeling them as divisive and corrosive to American politics.

The shooting incident at the White House Correspondents Dinner led to the evacuation of Trump, Melania, and other officials, with the suspected shooter charged with attempting to assassinate the President. Melania urged ABC to take action against Kimmel, accusing him of spreading hate and hiding behind the network’s support.