Jimmy Kimmel says he supports easing the tone of political rhetoric, but he argues that effort should begin at the highest levels of government. During his Monday night monologue, the late-night host responded to calls from First Lady Melania Trump that he be dismissed from his role at ABC following a joke he made about her.
The dispute stems from a segment aired Thursday, when Kimmel delivered an alternative roast to the White House Correspondents Association Dinner. In that routine, he made a remark about Melania Trump that he later described as a mild joke focused on the couple’s age difference and their public dynamic.
Melania Trump pushed back on social media, accusing Kimmel of using language she characterized as hateful and divisive, and questioned how long the network would allow what she called unacceptable conduct. Shortly afterward, President Trump also weighed in on social media, urging that Kimmel be fired, with his message amplified by the official White House account.
Addressing the backlash on his show, Kimmel said he agrees that harmful rhetoric should be reduced. However, he suggested that the conversation should include the president, pointing to what he sees as a broader issue with political discourse.
Kimmel also compared the situation to a previous controversy involving his comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, calling the latest uproar familiar. The remarks from Thursday drew additional attention over the weekend following an attempted assassination targeting President Trump during the White House Correspondents Association event.