The comedian Jimmy Kimmel has pushed back against allegations that his recent comedy routine served as an incitement to violence, Sky News reported. Following a sketch where he described Melania Trump as having a "glow like an expectant widow", the host denied the bit constituted a "call to assassination".
The dispute centers on a segment from Jimmy Kimmel Live! produced shortly before the recent shooting that occurred in Washington during the White House Correspondents Association dinner, therefore, President Donald Trump and the First Lady have urged the network to terminate the entertainer.
Jimmy Kimmel: "Our First Lady is here. Mrs. Trump… you have a glow like an expectant widow." pic.twitter.com/LdloPzMyXr
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 26, 2026
The sketch portrayed Kimmel delivering a mock dinner speech. "Our first lady, Melania, is here. So beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow," he joked in the footage. Kimmel addressed the criticism on Monday, insisting the joke merely highlighted the couple's age difference. He stated the remark was "not, by any stretch of the definition, a call to assassination".
The US president took to Truth Social to demand Disney and ABC remove the host. Trump mentioned that Kimmel had previously been taken off the air for comments regarding the death of a supporter. "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 posted.
Writing on X, Melania Trump characterized the host's output as "hateful and violent rhetoric" intended to polarize the country. She stated, "His monologue about my family isn't comedy – his words are corrosive and deepen the political sickness within America." The First Lady further labeled the comedian a "coward" and criticized ABC for its continued support of his actions. "Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand. How many times will ABC's leadership enable Kimmel's atrocious behavior at the expense of our community," she wrote.
Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro, who recently assumed his post, has yet to issue a statement.
On Monday's broadcast, Kimmel used his opening remarks to counter the Trumps. "It was a very light roast joke about the fact that he's almost 80 and she's younger than I am," he explained, adding that it was "not by any stretch of the definition a call to assassination".
The entertainer also responded directly to the First Lady's accusations of divisiveness. Kimmel noted, "I agree that hateful and violent rhetoric is something we should reject," before suggesting she speak with her husband regarding the matter. "I do, and I think a great place to start to dial that back would be to have a conversation with your husband about it."
To illustrate his point, Kimmel shared a CBS News clip of Donald Trump calling reporter Norah O'Donnell "a disgrace". The outlet reported that this occurred after the journalist questioned the president about the writings of Washington's suspected shooter.
Kimmel has been a long-standing critic of the president, having previously labeled the Republican election success a "terrible night". The comedian faced an earlier suspension over comments regarding right-wing figure Charlie Kirk. Upon returning, he clarified that it was "never my intention to make light of" the incident.
