First Lady Melania Trump responded to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s mock White House Correspondents’ Dinner speech, where he made assassination jokes. An assassination attempt followed just two days later.
“And of course, our first lady, Melania, is here. Look at Mel, so beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow. Oh, by the way, Melania, this is Donald. Donald, this is Melania,” Kimmel said. “You know, Melania’s birthday is on Sunday. That’s right. She’s uh, planning to celebrate at home the same way she always does, looking out a window and whispering, ‘What have I done?'”
Kimmel also took aim at White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, calling him a “racist” and comparing him to a “baby Hitler.”
Mrs. Trump condemned his comments, calling his jokes “hateful and violent rhetoric” that is “intended to divide our country.”
“His monologue about my family isn’t comedy- his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America,” she wrote. “People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate. A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him.”
“Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand. How many times will ABC’s leadership enable Kimmel’s atrocious behavior at the expense of our community.”
President Trump also weighed in on Kimmel’s comments. “Wow, Jimmy Kimmel, who is in no way funny as attested to by his terrible Television Ratings, made a statement on his Show that is really shocking,” he wrote on Truth Social, adding, “I appreciate that so many people are incensed by Kimmel’s despicable call to violence, and normally would not be responsive to anything that he said but, this is something far beyond the pale. Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC.”
The comments are the latest controversy surrounding Kimmel. In October, the host made controversial remarks about the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. His show was then temporarily removed from the air. ABC later opted to renew Kimmel’s contract for an additional year.
This article was updated to include President Trump’s statement.
