Trump Calls for ABC to Fire Jimmy Kimmel Over Joke About First Lady
Donald and Melania Trump demand ABC terminate comedian's contract following a joke about the first lady during his show.
Donald and Melania Trump both called for ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel on Monday after a joke last week in which the late-night comic described the first lady as having 'the glow of an expectant widow.'
The remark about the president’s wife was part of a routine on Thursday's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' where the host pretended to deliver a comedy routine at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
That event two nights later was cut short when a man armed with guns and knives tried to enter the Washington ballroom where the Trumps and much of the nation’s political leadership had gathered.
"People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate," Melania Trump said in a social media post later echoed by her husband.
There was no immediate comment from ABC.
KIMMEL’S HISTORY WITH TRUMP HAS BEEN CONTENTIOUS
Kimmel has long targeted the president in his comedy, and he doubled down after a run-in with the administration last fall.
Kimmel was suspended by ABC and some of the network's affiliates said they would take him off the air following a comment made about assassinated conservative leader Charlie Kirk, moves encouraged by Trump’s FCC chairman, Brendan Carr.
ABC and the stations later brought Kimmel back.
Upon his return, Kimmel said that by saying that 'many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk,' he was not trying to make light of Kirk's killing and didn’t want to leave that impression.
He did not apologize, however, and he criticized station owners who took him off the air before later relenting.
Shortly after the incident, ABC signed Kimmel to a one-year contract extension that is due to keep him on the air until May 2027.
His show has aired on the network since January 2003.
Dressed in a tux and standing behind a podium Thursday, Kimmel pretended to deliver a comic routine for the WHCA dinner.
His speech had false 'cutaways' to the Trumps and others, taken from video clips.
He noted Melania in the 'audience,' saying, 'Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.'
The president said Kimmel’s joke was 'far beyond the pale' and that he should be immediately fired by ABC and its parent Walt Disney Co.
Melania Trump described Kimmel's comments as 'hateful and violent rhetoric,' intended to divide the country.
She accused him of hiding behind his network, which she said continues to protect him.
"Enough is enough," she wrote.
"It is time for ABC to take a stand".
The remark about the president’s wife was part of a routine on Thursday's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' where the host pretended to deliver a comedy routine at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
That event two nights later was cut short when a man armed with guns and knives tried to enter the Washington ballroom where the Trumps and much of the nation’s political leadership had gathered.
"People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate," Melania Trump said in a social media post later echoed by her husband.
There was no immediate comment from ABC.
KIMMEL’S HISTORY WITH TRUMP HAS BEEN CONTENTIOUS
Kimmel has long targeted the president in his comedy, and he doubled down after a run-in with the administration last fall.
Kimmel was suspended by ABC and some of the network's affiliates said they would take him off the air following a comment made about assassinated conservative leader Charlie Kirk, moves encouraged by Trump’s FCC chairman, Brendan Carr.
ABC and the stations later brought Kimmel back.
Upon his return, Kimmel said that by saying that 'many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalize on the murder of Charlie Kirk,' he was not trying to make light of Kirk's killing and didn’t want to leave that impression.
He did not apologize, however, and he criticized station owners who took him off the air before later relenting.
Shortly after the incident, ABC signed Kimmel to a one-year contract extension that is due to keep him on the air until May 2027.
His show has aired on the network since January 2003.
Dressed in a tux and standing behind a podium Thursday, Kimmel pretended to deliver a comic routine for the WHCA dinner.
His speech had false 'cutaways' to the Trumps and others, taken from video clips.
He noted Melania in the 'audience,' saying, 'Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.'
The president said Kimmel’s joke was 'far beyond the pale' and that he should be immediately fired by ABC and its parent Walt Disney Co.
Melania Trump described Kimmel's comments as 'hateful and violent rhetoric,' intended to divide the country.
She accused him of hiding behind his network, which she said continues to protect him.
"Enough is enough," she wrote.
"It is time for ABC to take a stand".
