President Donald Trump has called on Walt Disney Co.’s ABC to immediately terminate late night host Jimmy Kimmel, following what he described as a “despicable call to violence” during a broadcast on April 23.
Trump’s Response to Kimmel’s Monologue
The president’s remarks, posted on his Truth Social platform, echoed earlier comments from First Lady Melania Trump. She had urged ABC to “take a stand” after Kimmel delivered a monologue she characterized as “hateful and violent.”
During the Thursday night airing of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the comedian staged a parody of the upcoming White House Correspondents’ Dinner. He implied that convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein introduced President Trump and his wife, then said: “Our First Lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.”
Reactions and Consequences
The jokes were widely criticized as being in poor taste, especially in light of an attempted assassination at the dinner two nights later. ABC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Disney shares slipped after Trump’s remarks but were recently little changed at US$102.40.
Previous Controversies
In September, Kimmel was suspended for several days after comments he made regarding the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk. Prior to that suspension, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr had warned that TV station licenses could be at risk due to the remarks.
“People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate,” the First Lady said in a post on X on Monday. “How many times will ABC’s leadership enable Kimmel’s atrocious behaviour at the expense of our community?”
This latest controversy adds to ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and late night television hosts, with Kimmel often being a target of criticism from conservative figures.
