The days-old Kimmel joke<\/a> emerged on social media following the Saturday shooting incident at the White House Correspondents\u2019 Dinner. <\/a>Last week, during Thursday\u2019s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!<\/a>, the host parodied the dinner in advance, delivering his own alternative comedy monologue as the event\u2019s MC. Among the gags, Kimmel joked that Melania had the glow of an \u201cexpectant widow.\u201d<\/p>\n Days later, a gunman opened fire at the annual Washington, D.C. event<\/a> and was apprehended at the scene. Attorney General Todd Blanche has said that investigators believe the suspected shooter, Cole Tomas Allen, 31, was targeting members of President Donald Trump\u2019s administration<\/a>.<\/p>\n After Melania urged Kimmel\u2019s broadcaster ABC to \u201ctake a stand\u201d in a Monday morning tweet, Donald targeted the comedian in a statement of his own about the \u201creally shocking\u201d joke.<\/p>\n Slamming Kimmel as \u201cin no way funny as attested to by his terrible Television Ratings,\u201d Trump wrote, \u201cI appreciate that so many people are incensed by Kimmel\u2019s despicable call to violence, and normally would not be responsive to anything that he said but, this is something far beyond the pale. Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC. Thank you for your attention to this matter!\u201d<\/p>\n Donald\u2019s statement came hours after Melania wrote on X: \u201cKimmel\u2019s hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country. His monologue about my family isn\u2019t comedy- his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople like Kimmel shouldn\u2019t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate. A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n \u201cEnough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand. How many times will ABC\u2019s leadership enable Kimmel\u2019s atrocious behavior at the expense of our community.\u201d<\/p>\n The Independent has contacted ABC and Kimmel\u2019s representatives for comment.<\/p>\n It comes months after Jimmy Kimmel Live! was taken off air in September last year, over his controversial remarks about right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk\u2019s killing.<\/a><\/p>\n Before the suspension was lifted, big names in Hollywood and politics \u2014 including former President Barack Obama<\/a> \u2014 quickly condemned the move and raised concerns about free speech. <\/p>\n In his emotional return to the show, Kimmel said he accepted that some people felt his remarks about Kirk\u2019s death had been \u201cill-timed or unclear or maybe both,\u201d adding: \u201cI get why you\u2019re upset.\u201d<\/p>\n Just three months after his late night return, Kimmel and ABC agreed to a contract extension, taking the show through May 2027<\/a>.<\/p>\n In recent months, Kimmel and the president have regularly exchanged jabs, with the latter describing the TV show host as a \u201closer\u201d on Fox News\u2019 The<\/a> Five <\/a>in March.\u200b<\/p>\n \u201cHe gets no ratings, none,\u201d Donald said. \u201cHe\u2019s got no talent.\u201d<\/p>\n Many of the president\u2019s supporters have blasted Kimmel on X over his Melania joke, even though it took place days before the shooting.<\/p>\n On X, right-wing political commentator Benny Johnson suggested that ABC should \u201cissue a full on-air apology\u201d from the host or have their broadcasting license \u201crevoked.\u201d<\/p>\n Larry O\u2019Connor, editor of conservative outlet Townhall, labeled Kimmel a \u201cbroken man\u201d and wrote on X, \u201c@disney, you have a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Melania](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777318510_834_download.jpg\")
Melania Trump was seated next to Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents\u2019 Dinner when gunfire broke out (AP)<\/p>\n![\"Donald](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/MixCollage-27-Apr-2026-02-02-PM-7708.jpg\")
Donald Trump has echoed Melania Trump’s call for ABC to ‘take a stand’ against Jimmy Kimmel over his ‘widow’ joke (Getty)<\/p>\n