• Source:JND

Late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel has once again found himself at the centre of controversy after drawing sharp criticism from United States President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.

Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about US first lady Melania Trump which had been misconstrued and was not a "call to assassination."

What did Kimmel say?

The latest controversy began with a segment aired on April 23, when Kimmel performed a parody tied to the then-upcoming White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

During the skit, Kimmel joked that Melania Trump had “a glow like an expectant widow.”

Jimmy Kimmel speaks at the Oscars show

( Jimmy Kemmel: Reuters )

He later clarified that the remark was aimed at the age difference between Melania Trump and President Trump, not as a threat or violent insinuation.

“It was a very light roast joke about the fact that he's almost 80 and she's younger than I am,” Kimmel said. “It was not by any stretch of the definition a call to assassination.”

The segment also included a visual gag portraying Melania Trump and the couple’s son, Barron, as audience members in the studio which Trump later criticised, pointing out they were not actually present.

“I agree that hateful and violent rhetoric is something we should reject,” Kimmel responded. “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.”

While the joke was initially one among several satirical comments aimed at the administration, the controversy intensified dramatically after a real-world security scare unfolded days later at White house dinner correspondents' dinner.

How did Melania Trump respond?

Following the incident, Melania Trump publicly condemned Kimmel’s remarks and called for ABC to hold him accountable.

“Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country. His monologue about my family isn’t comedy — his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America,” she said.

She further added, “People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate.”

In subsequent remarks, the First Lady sharpened her criticism, directly challenging ABC’s leadership.

“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 said.

She also described Kimmel as a “coward” who “hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him.”

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What did Trump say?

Trump strongly backed Melania Trump’s position, calling for immediate action against Kimmel.

“Wow, Jimmy Kimmel, who is in no way funny as attested to by his terrible Television Ratings, made a statement on his Show that is really shocking,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He went on to recount the segment, including the portrayal of Melania and Barron Trump and the controversial line.

“He then stated, ‘Our First Lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.’”

Trump described the joke as “something far beyond the pale” and asserted that Kimmel “should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC.”

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What happened at the Washington Hilton?

On April 25, during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton, authorities reported a serious security breach when an armed man, identified as Cole Allen, allegedly attempted to force his way into the venue.

According to officials, the suspect passed through a checkpoint and fired a weapon in the hotel lobby, injuring a Secret Service agent before being subdued and arrested.

President Trump and Melania Trump, who were present at the event, were swiftly escorted from the venue.

The incident triggered alarm over security at one of Washington’s most prominent political and media gatherings.

 


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