Jimmy Kimmel appears to have avoided any disciplinary action from ABC, despite calls from Donald Trump and Melania Trump demanding his removal. The network made its decision days after the White House Correspondents’ Dinner incident, where shots were reportedly fired near the Washington Hilton, leading to the evacuation of the president and several officials.
Kimmel had come under criticism for his controversial “expectant widow” joke about Melania, made shortly before the incident.
Jimmy Kimmel responds to backlash
Addressing the controversy during his Monday night monologue, Kimmel took a sarcastic tone. He joked about waking up to find the First Lady calling for his firing, suggesting such situations are something “we’ve all been through.”
The 58-year-old clarified that the remark was part of a comedic segment during a mock White House Correspondents’ Dinner and described it as a light roast. He noted that there was little reaction initially, but things escalated the next day when criticism surged online along with calls for his dismissal.
Kimmel explained that the joke was about the age difference between Donald and Melania Trump and was not meant to incite harm. He emphasized that he has consistently spoken out against gun violence and rejected any suggestion that his remarks were dangerous or inappropriate in that context.
He added that while he understood Melania may have had a stressful weekend, especially given the incident, he believes harmful rhetoric should be avoided by everyone. Kimmel suggested that if such concerns exist, they should be addressed more broadly, including within political leadership. He also pointed to free speech protections under the First Amendment, noting that everyone, including the Trumps and himself, has the right to express opinions.
ABC’s decision on Kimmel’s future
According to a report by Page Six, ABC has decided not to suspend, fire, or cancel Kimmel’s show. The network reportedly plans to continue as usual and move past the controversy.
Trump’s own remarks draw attention
During his April 28 monologue, Kimmel also highlighted what he described as hypocrisy. He referenced a clip where Donald Trump, while meeting King Charles III, joked about not living long enough to match his parents’ 63-year marriage.
Kimmel pointed out that Trump himself made a joke about his own mortality shortly after criticizing him for humor related to age.
Meanwhile, Trump took to Truth Social to strongly criticize Kimmel, calling his remarks shocking and inappropriate. He claimed the joke amounted to a call to violence and reiterated his demand that ABC and its parent company Disney take action against the late-night host.
