ABC makes decision on Jimmy Kimmel’s fate after backlash over Melania Trump ‘widow’ joke
Jimmy Kimmel will continue hosting his show despite controversy surrounding his recent remarks about the Trump family, sources have suggested.
An ABC insider confirmed the 58-year-old host isn’t facing any consequences despite criticism over his “expectant widow” comment directed at Melania Trump, 56, who wore an “inappropriate” gown to meet King Charles days later. Jimmy delivered the widely circulated remark during the April 23 broadcast of his program, in an “alternative” White House Correspondents’ Dinner segment.
Jimmy’s monologue mocked the yearly gathering’s decision to feature a mentalist rather than a comedian. The comments prompted people to call for Jimmy to be canceled after the president was targeted in a shooting at the event. It comes after Melania was seen doing a shocking act to Donald Trump – sparking huge tension rumors.
“You have a glow like an expectant widow,” Jimmy said. “You know, Melania’s birthday is on Sunday. She’s planning to celebrate at home the way she always does – looking out a window and whispering, ‘What have I done?'”
The comedian’s Melania-focused humor sparked mixed reactions, yet ABC appears to be supporting him. A source revealed to Page Six that the network “is sticking by” the Jimmy Kimmel Live! host and “don’t plan to suspend him, fire him or cancel the show.”
The source further claimed, “It’s back to taping per usual. They’re moving on.” It comes almost eight months after Jimmy was suspended from the network after making a joke over Charlie Kirk’s death.
Two days following Jimmy’s remark, a shooter discharged firearms at the Washington Hilton, the dinner’s venue. In the hours that followed, Melania condemned Jimmy on X.
In her statement, she criticized, “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 deepen the political sickness within America.”
She added, “Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand. People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate.”
Her husband, President Donald Trump, weighed in, insisting the TV host should be fired “immediately,” calling the joke “shocking” and “far beyond the pale.”
In response, Jimmy tackled the controversy during Monday night’s monologue, maintaining he had simply made an “obvious” joke about Donald, 79, and Melania’s age difference.
“It was not by any stretch a call to assassination,” he emphasized, saying, “I agree hateful and violent is something we should reject. … A great place to start to dial that back would be to have a conversation with your husband.”
Jimmy then spoke to Melania directly, recognizing how “traumatic and scary” the shooting must have been. Earlier that same day, George Clooney voiced support for Jimmy at the 51st Chaplin Award Gala, saying, “Jokes are jokes.”
The incident comes after Trump was being caught on camera doing a shocking act to Melania at an inappropriate moment..
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Source: ABC makes decision on Jimmy Kimmel’s fate after backlash over Melania Trump ‘widow’ joke
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