Content Advisory: This article discusses gun violence, political rhetoric, and an alleged assassination threat. Reader discretion is advised.
ABC is reportedly not cutting Jimmy Kimmel loose after the backlash over his Melania Trump “expectant widow” joke.
The late-night host faced calls to be fired after joking about the first lady during an April 23 episode of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ In the segment, Kimmel delivered an alternative White House Correspondents’ Dinner monologue, mocking the real dinner’s decision to use a mentalist instead of a comedian.
The line that set off the fight was aimed at Melania Trump. “You have a glow like an expectant widow,” Kimmel said.
The joke went viral, then drew far more scrutiny after gunfire broke out two days later at the Washington Hilton, where the real White House Correspondents’ Dinner was being held.
ABC Makes Its Decision, Firmly
Despite pressure from Donald and Melania Trump, ABC is reportedly standing by Kimmel. A source said that the network “is sticking by” the ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ host and does not plan to suspend him, fire him, or cancel the show. “It’s back to taping per usual,” the insider said. “They’re moving on.”
The decision comes nearly eight months after Kimmel was briefly suspended by ABC over comments he made following Charlie Kirk’s death. This makes ABC’s decision to ‘stick by’ Kimmel a surprising one.
Melania Trump Called The Joke ‘Hateful’
Melania condemned Kimmel in a post on X after the shooting. “Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country,” she wrote. “His monologue about my family isn’t comedy, his words are corrosive and deepen the political sickness within America.”
She also urged ABC to act. “Enough is enough,” Melania wrote. “It is time for ABC to take a stand. People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate.”
Donald Trump also demanded that Kimmel be fired “immediately,” calling the joke “shocking” and “far beyond the pale.”
Kimmel Said It Was Not A Call To Violence
Kimmel addressed the backlash during his Monday night monologue, saying the joke was about the age difference between Donald, 79, and Melania, 56. “It was not by any stretch a call to assassination,” he said.
He also said he agreed that hateful and violent rhetoric should be rejected, then turned that criticism back toward the first lady. “A great place to start to dial that back would be to have a conversation with your husband,” Kimmel said. He also spoke directly to Melania, acknowledging that the shooting must have been “traumatic and scary.”
For now, ABC appears to agree. The Trumps want consequences. The network is reportedly moving on.
