Melania Trump has directly called upon ABC to "take a stand" and address comedian Jimmy Kimmel's recent joke about her, which resurfaced following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Trump's public statements, made on platforms like X, brand Kimmel's humor as "hateful and violent rhetoric" and "corrosive," arguing it contributes to a "political sickness" within America. She specifically cited a joke where Kimmel likened her to an "expectant widow," delivered just days before a gunman, Cole Allen, reportedly opened fire at a Secret Service checkpoint outside the Washington Hilton on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The shooting, which resulted in minor injuries to a Secret Service agent, led to the evacuation of attendees and the cancellation of the dinner.
"A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him."
Trump's criticism extends to the network, alleging that ABC's leadership "enable[s] Kimmel’s atrocious behavior." She has urged the network to step in and potentially remove Kimmel from the air, stating, "It is time for ABC to take a stand." Representatives for ABC and Jimmy Kimmel have been contacted for comment. The timing of Trump's public outcry, amplified by social media, links the resurfaced joke directly to the anxieties surrounding the violent event, suggesting the humor aged poorly in light of the near-tragedy.
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The Joke and its Context
The joke in question, made during a Thursday, April 23, 2026, episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was part of a parody of the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Kimmel, acting as a mock MC, delivered jokes that he might have used at the actual event. The specific remark about Melania Trump, referencing her birthday on Sunday, April 26, 2026, included the line, "You have a glow like an expectant widow." This was delivered mere days before the Saturday incident at the Washington Hilton.
Backlash and Resurfacing
The shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, where Cole Allen allegedly approached a Secret Service checkpoint armed with multiple weapons and fired shots, brought renewed attention to Kimmel's prior remarks. Social media platforms have seen a surge in criticism directed at Kimmel and ABC as a result, with many users finding the "expectant widow" comment particularly distasteful and ill-timed given the security breach and potential for violence. The incident itself led to the apprehension of Allen and a temporary disruption of the event, prompting discussions about security protocols and the nature of public discourse.
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