President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have launched a blistering attack on comedian Jimmy Kimmel, urging ABC to remove him from the airwaves.
The US President’s fury centres on a segment from Thursday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in which the 58-year-old host delivered a mock White House Correspondents’ Dinner speech.
During Mr Kimmel’s routine, he said: “Our first lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.”
The comedian also took aim at Mrs Trump’s Brett Ratner documentary, noting its 10 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes and dubbing it “the world’s first motionless picture”.
Mr Kimmel further referenced President Trump’s alleged connections to Jeffrey Epstein, joking: “Before we go any further, Melania, this is Donald. Donald, this is Melania. That was my impression of Jeffrey Epstein.”
The clip resurfaced online following Saturday’s attack, in which a gunman opened fire at the dinner, with investigators believing the 31-year-old suspect was targeting members of Mr Trump’s administration.
Taking to Truth Social, President Trump wrote: “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.
“He showed a fake video of the First Lady, Melania, and our son, Barron, like they were actually sitting in his studio, listening to him speak, which they weren’t, and never would be. “
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump both launched a blistering attack on late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel
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ABC
President Trump added: “He then stated, ‘Our First Lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.’ A day later a lunatic tried entering the ballroom of the White House Correspondents Dinner, loaded up with a shotgun, handgun, and many knives.
“He was there for a very obvious and sinister reason. 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.
“Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC.”
His comments come after the First Lady also took to social media to make a rare public statement, accusing the talk show host of spreading divisive messaging in the wake of Saturday’s shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
This is not the first time ABC has faced pressure over Mr Kimmel’s commentary on the Trump administration
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GETTY
Mrs Trump wrote: “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.
“People like Kimmel shouldn’t 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. Enough is enough.
“It is time for ABC to take a stand. How many times will ABC’s leadership enable Kimmel’s atrocious behaviour at the expense of our community?”
Melania Trump labelled him a ‘coward’ and urged ABC to remove him from the airwaves
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GETTY
This is not the first time ABC has faced pressure over Mr Kimmel’s commentary on the Trump administration.
In September, the network indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! following threats from FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who warned of regulatory action against the broadcaster over the host’s criticism of the President.
The decision came after major affiliate groups Nexstar and Sinclair announced they would refuse to air the programme across their stations.
The suspension sparked controversy, with critics accusing Carr of undermining constitutional free speech protections.
President Trump previously dismissed ABC as ‘fake news’ and claimed the White House had been informed the show was cancelled
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GETTYMr Kimmel returned to television six days later, prompting President Trump to dismiss ABC as “fake news” and claim the White House had been informed the show was cancelled.
Despite the controversy, ABC and Mr Kimmel extended their contract, securing the programme through May 2027.
Republican figures have rallied behind the First Lady’s criticism of the late-night host.
Meghan McCain expressed her support on X, writing: “I am so deeply sick of Jimmy Kimmel and the hate he spreads in the world.”
In September, the network indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live!
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GETTY
President Trump supporters have directed significant backlash at the comedian since the dinner shooting clip began circulating online.
The President himself has previously clashed with Mr Kimmel, calling him a “loser” during a March Fox News appearance.
The ongoing feud reflects broader tensions between the Trump administration and late-night television, with Mr Kimmel having been a persistent critic of the President and his policies throughout both terms in office.
Neither ABC nor representatives for Mr Kimmel have publicly responded to the First Lady’s demands.