A political and media dispute has intensified in the United States following remarks by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel about First Lady Melania Trump, coinciding with a recent shooting incident at a high-profile Washington event.
The controversy has drawn in President Donald Trump, the White House, and network executives, reflecting broader tensions between political figures and the media.
The dispute stems from a monologue delivered by Kimmel during a televised segment tied to the White House correspondents’ dinner, in which he joked that Melania Trump had “a glow like an expectant widow.”
The comment resurfaced widely after a gunman opened fire near the correspondents’ dinner in Washington, where the president and first lady were in attendance.
Authorities later charged the suspect with attempting to assassinate the president.
Melania Trump sharply criticised Kimmel, urging ABC to take action and accusing the comedian of spreading harmful rhetoric.
“People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate,” she wrote publicly.
President Trump echoed the criticism, calling the remarks “a despicable call to violence” and demanding Kimmel’s dismissal from the network.
White House officials reinforced the condemnation, questioning the appropriateness of the joke in light of the attempted attack.
Kimmel rejected the accusations, stating that his remarks had been misinterpreted and were not intended to incite harm.
He described the joke as “a very light roast joke” referring to the age difference between the president and the first lady.
The comedian also emphasized his longstanding opposition to gun violence, arguing that linking the joke to the shooting was unfounded.
The episode builds on a history of friction between Kimmel and the Trump administration, marked by previous criticisms and disputes over political commentary.
In earlier incidents, the comedian faced suspension following controversial remarks, though he was later reinstated after public backlash.
The latest developments have further highlighted ongoing tensions between political leaders and media figures, particularly in the context of heightened sensitivity following violent incidents.
The network ABC has not publicly detailed any action regarding the current calls for Kimmel’s removal.