Trump demands ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel ‘soon’ but the network has heard this rant before and ignored it
The right to offend.
President Donald Trump is demanding ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel “soon” after the late-night host’s “expectant widow” joke about first lady Melania Trump sparked outrage. In a Truth Social post on April 30, 2026, Trump called Kimmel “seriously unfunny” and claimed the host’s show has one of the lowest ratings on television.
“People are angry. It better be soon!!! President DJT,” he wrote. The first lady has also weighed in, calling Kimmel’s remarks “hateful and violent rhetoric” that deepens political divisions in America. According to Fox News, the controversy erupted after Kimmel delivered the joke during a mock White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on April 23. “Look at Melania, so beautiful,” he said. “Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.”
The remark went viral, especially after a shooting at the actual WHCD on April 27 disrupted the event. The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, is facing charges including attempting to assassinate the president. Authorities have not confirmed a motive, but the timing intensified scrutiny of Kimmel’s comments.
Melania called Kimmel a “coward” who hides behind ABC’s protection
“People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate,” she wrote. “Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand.” The first lady’s statement framed Kimmel’s joke as part of a broader pattern of corrosive rhetoric in the media. Trump echoed her call for action, though ABC and Disney have not publicly responded to the demands.
Kimmel has not backed down. On Wednesday, he doubled down with another monologue mocking the Trumps’ relationship. “Our first couple, Donald and Melania, have seemed closer than ever,” he said. “And I like to think I played a part in that.”
He referenced footage of the couple at a recent White House state dinner, joking about their body language. “Considering the week I’ve had with the first couple, I’m just going to say that is a completely normal way to interact for two people who are very much in love,” he added. “Maybe that’s why his hands are all bruised, from Melania swatting them away.”
The late-night host has a history of clashing with the Trump administration
Last year, Disney briefly suspended Kimmel after he made controversial remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Kimmel returned to the air days later, insisting he never intended to make light of Kirk’s death. Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, has since criticized Kimmel’s “expectant widow” joke, calling it cruel and insensitive.
“We are all human beings, and if you can just pause and just take a minute and ask yourself, ‘How would you feel if, even just one person, made cruel jokes about the attempted murder of your loved one?’” she said. “That is what Jimmy Kimmel did to the first lady.”
Kimmel has defended his joke as a “very light roast” about the president’s age, noting Trump will turn 80 in June. Earlier this week, he dismissed accusations that his comments encouraged violence. “It was not, by any stretch of the definition, a call to assassination,” he said. “I’ve been very vocal for many years speaking out against gun violence.”
His insistence that the joke was harmless hasn’t softened the backlash, though. The controversy has reignited debates about the boundaries of comedy, especially when it targets political figures and their families.
This isn’t the first time ABC has faced pressure to rein in Kimmel
The network has a long-standing relationship with the host, but his history of controversial remarks has tested that loyalty. In 2025, Disney suspended him after his comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, though he returned to the air within days.
ABC’s silence this time suggests the network may be sticking to its pattern of weathering the storm rather than taking decisive action. For now, Kimmel remains on the air, and his show continues to air nightly despite the calls for his removal.
The Trump administration has been at odds with Disney for years, particularly over the company’s stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. The Federal Communications Commission recently moved to accelerate review timelines for Disney-owned broadcast licenses, a decision the administration framed as part of an ongoing examination of Disney’s practices.
While the FCC’s move isn’t directly tied to Kimmel’s joke, it underscores the tense relationship between the White House and ABC’s parent company. For viewers, the situation raises questions about accountability in late-night comedy. Kimmel’s show has a platform that reaches millions of homes each night, and his jokes often walk a fine line between satire and offense.
The fallout from this controversy is far from over
If history is any indication, ABC is unlikely to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel unless the backlash reaches a tipping point. For now, the network appears content to let the storm pass, even as Trump and the first lady continue to demand action.
Kimmel, meanwhile, shows no signs of backing down. His Wednesday monologue proved he’s willing to lean into the controversy, even if it means further alienating his critics. Whether that strategy will pay off remains to be seen.
(Featured image: Erin Scott)
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