First Lady Melania Trump has publicly criticized late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, urging ABC to take action against him for a joke she deemed "hateful and violent." The controversy stems from a segment on Kimmel's show, where he referred to Melania Trump as having "a glow like an expectant widow" during a parody of the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The joke aired just days before a shooting incident at the actual dinner, which Melania Trump attended with President Donald Trump.
In a post on X, Melania Trump described Kimmel's remarks as "corrosive" and accused him of deepening political divisions in the country. She also labeled Kimmel a "coward" for hiding behind ABC's support. President Trump echoed his wife's sentiments, calling for Kimmel to be fired by Disney and ABC, describing the comedian's comments as a "call to violence."
The shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner occurred on Saturday, when a gunman allegedly attempted to target members of the Trump administration. The suspect, identified as Cole Allen, was apprehended before causing significant harm. Reports suggest Allen had ties to Democratic fundraising platforms and left-wing activism.
Kimmel has not publicly addressed the backlash from the Trumps. However, he was previously taken off the air in September 2025 after making controversial remarks about the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. The FCC chair at the time threatened ABC affiliates over the incident, leading to Kimmel's temporary suspension.
ABC has not yet responded to requests for comment on the latest controversy involving Kimmel.