Jimmy Kimmel controversy: Donald and Melania Trump urge ABC to fire host after joke

Donald Trump and Melania Trump called on ABC to dismiss late-night host Jimmy Kimmel after jokes made on "Jimmy Kimmel Live\". The comments followed a segment that mocked the White House Correspondents Association dinner. The dispute also came after security fears at the real event. ABC did not comment immediately.

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The WHCA dinner on Saturday ended early after a man with guns and knives tried entering the ballroom. The Trumps and many national leaders were inside at the time. Cole Tomas Allen, a California man, was arrested and later charged. The charge included attempted assassination of the president.

Jimmy Kimmel joke triggers ABC firing demand

Melania Trump criticised Kimmel in a social media post later repeated by Donald Trump. \"People like Kimmel shouldnt have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate,\" Melania Trump said. Donald Trump also posted a complaint on Truth Social. There was no immediate comment from ABC.

Donald Trump wrote that the joke crossed a line and linked it to violence. \"I appreciate that so many people are incensed by Kimmels despicable call to violence, and normally would not be responsive to anything that he said but, this is something far beyond the pale,\" the president said on his Truth Social platform. Donald Trump added: \"Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by ABC and its parent Walt Disney Co.,\" he said.

Jimmy Kimmel routine at WHCA dinner included Melania Trump line

The controversy began with a Thursday episode featuring a mock WHCA dinner speech. Dressed in a tux and standing at a podium, Kimmel staged fake cutaways. The clips showed the Trumps and others, taken from video. In the routine, Kimmel said, \"Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.\"

Kimmel also joked about Melania Trumps birthday on Sunday. Kimmel said, \"Shes planning to celebrate at home the same way she always does - looking out a window and whispering, What have I done?\" Kimmel then added: \"Before we go any further, Melania, this is Donald. Donald, this is Melania. That was my impression of Jeffrey Epstein.\"

Jimmy Kimmel faced prior ABC suspension after Charlie Kirk comment

The late-night host has often targeted Donald Trump in monologues and sketches. That conflict grew after a dispute with the administration last fall. Kimmel was suspended by ABC after a comment about assassinated conservative leader Charlie Kirk. Some ABC affiliates also said they would remove the show.

Those moves were encouraged by Brendan Carr, Trumps FCC chairman. ABC and the stations later returned Kimmel to air. The latest criticism from the Trumps renewed pressure on the network. No new decision from ABC was announced in response to the latest demands.

Jimmy Kimmel remarks draw response from White House press secretary

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt linked the joke to wider political tension. Leavitt said it was part of rhetoric from Democrats and some media voices. Leavitt said it helped to legitimise this violence. \"Who in their right mind says a wife would be glowing over the potential murder of her beloved husband?\" Leavitt said.

There was no indication that Kimmel was referring to violence. Still, Melania Trump described the jokes as harmful and divisive. \"A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him,\" Melania Trump wrote. \"Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand.\"

The episode left ABC facing public calls for action from the president and the first lady. The demands centred on Kimmels WHCA-themed routine and its lines about Melania Trump. The background included the attempted breach at the Saturday dinner. As of Monday, ABC had not issued a response.

With inputs from PTI