Melania Trump has broken her silence on Jimmy Kimmel’s recent controversial joke, calling his comments “hateful and violent” and demanding that ABC take immediate action.
The late-night comedian made light of Melania and Donald Trump during his show, joking that the First Lady resembled “an expectant widow,” just days before an attempted shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. In a post shared on X on Monday morning, Melania condemned the joke, claiming Kimmel’s rhetoric “deepens the political sickness within America.”
“People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate,” Melania continued. “A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him. Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand.”
Kimmel had poked fun at the Trump family in his monologue at the dinner, saying, “Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.” He went on to joke about the First Lady’s birthday plans, stating that she would be “celebrating at home the same way she always does, looking out a window and whispering, ‘What have I done?’”
However, his joke has come under fire after the event was marked by a tragic incident. On the same night, a suspected shooter, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, attempted to target members of the Trump administration at the dinner.
In his response, President Trump also weighed in, calling Kimmel’s joke “despicable” and saying, “I appreciate that so many people are incensed by Kimmel’s despicable call to violence, and normally would not be responsive to anything that he said but, this is something far beyond the pale.” Trump concluded, “Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Kimmel later attempted to clarify his joke, explaining that it was intended as a light-hearted roast about the age gap between Melania and her husband, Donald Trump. He insisted, “It was not by any stretch of the definition a call to assassination. And they know that.”
Despite this, Melania’s advisor, Marc Beckman, exclusively told Daily Mail that Kimmel “should be terminated” due to his “disrespectful and dangerous” rhetoric. Beckman emphasized that “Our community should not tolerate violent political rhetoric at the expense of the First Family or any of our nation’s political leaders, regardless of party affiliation.”
Kimmel’s joke, and Melania’s subsequent statement, have sparked widespread debate over the role of comedians in political discourse. Critics argue that Kimmel’s words went too far, while others believe it’s just another case of outrage culture.
As the controversy surrounding the event continues, questions remain about the boundaries of comedy and whether ABC should heed Melania Trump’s call for action.
