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Event / Entertainment
Jimmy Kimmel White House Controversy
Following a security incident at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington D.C. on April 26, 2026, controversy erupted over a joke Jimmy Kimmel had made on his show days earlier. The incident sparked calls from President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for ABC and Disney to fire Kimmel, while the network reportedly plans to support him.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 28 Apr, 05:06 UTC
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What happened
President Trump calls for ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel on Truth Social
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday, April 30, calling on ABC to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, describing him as 'seriously unfunny' and stating that his show was one of the lowest-rated on television. Trump claimed 'people are angry' and stated the firing 'better be soon.'
Jimmy Kimmel makes 'expectant widow' joke about first lady Melania Trump
During a mock White House Correspondents' Association dinner skit on his late-night show, comedian Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about first lady Melania Trump, stating she had the glow of an 'expectant widow.' The joke was interpreted as suggesting the first lady would be happy when her husband dies, playing on the age difference between the president and first lady.
Federal Communications Commission announces review of ABC broadcast licenses
The Federal Communications Commission announced it was reviewing ABC's broadcast licenses on Tuesday. The FCC stated that Disney's diversity politics may have violated anti-discrimination rules. The timing suggested the Trump administration was seeking to hold the network accountable in connection with Jimmy Kimmel's jokes.
Assassination attempt occurs at 2026 White House Correspondents' Dinner
An assassination attempt took place at the 2026 White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday. The incident occurred days after comedian Jimmy Kimmel made jokes about first lady Melania Trump during a mock WHCA dinner skit, in which he referred to her as having the glow of an 'expectant widow.'
First lady Melania Trump calls for ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel
First lady Melania Trump issued a social media statement on Monday, April 27, calling for ABC to terminate Jimmy Kimmel's show. She stated that Kimmel's monologue about her family was not comedy and that his words were corrosive and deepened political sickness in America. She demanded ABC take action against the late-night host.
Ben Shapiro compares firing Jimmy Kimmel to prosecuting Al Capone on tax evasion
Podcaster Ben Shapiro stated that firing Jimmy Kimmel for his mild 'expectant widow' joke would be equivalent to getting Al Capone on tax evasion, implying the punishment would not fit the alleged offense. Shapiro's comment represented conservative pushback against calls for Kimmel's termination.
Jimmy Kimmel apologizes for comments about Melania Trump
On Monday's broadcast of his show, Jimmy Kimmel apologized for his previous comments about the Trump family. He expressed sympathy for the first lady's traumatic experience at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and stated his intention for Americans to come together. He clarified that his joke was about their age difference and not a call to assassination.
Senator Ted Cruz criticizes FCC for overstepping authority on speech regulation
Texas Senator Ted Cruz stated that the Federal Communications Commission was overstepping its authority by operating as 'speech police.' He argued it is not the government's job to censor speech and that the FCC should not be regulating commentary by late-night hosts.
ABC and Disney reportedly stand by Jimmy Kimmel amid firing demands
According to insiders, ABC and Disney are not planning to fire or suspend Jimmy Kimmel despite the White House and First Lady's demands. Kimmel's contract with the networks is set to expire in May 2027. Both ABC and Disney reportedly plan to stand by the contract and make a decision about his future closer to the expiration date.
Armed individual attempted to breach White House Correspondents' Dinner security
An armed individual with multiple guns and knives attempted to breach a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner held at the Washington Hilton ballroom. The individual was apprehended by authorities. A Secret Service officer may have been shot during the incident but was wearing a bulletproof vest and was reported to be okay. No attendees were injured.
White House Correspondents' Dinner cancelled due to security incident
The White House Correspondents' Association dinner scheduled for Saturday night was cancelled following the security breach attempt by an armed individual at the venue.
Jimmy Kimmel makes joke about Melania Trump before security incident
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel hosted a mock 'alternative' White House Correspondents' Dinner on his show, during which he made a roasting joke about First Lady Melania Trump, stating she had 'the glow of an expectant widow.' The joke was made five days before the actual White House Correspondents' Dinner was scheduled to take place.
Jimmy Kimmel defends joke and refuses to apologize
In response to calls for his firing, Jimmy Kimmel defended his joke about Melania Trump as 'a very light roast joke' about their age difference and stated it was not 'by any stretch of the definition a call to assassination.' Kimmel emphasized he has been vocal against gun violence for many years. He refused to apologize for the joke and instead suggested that President Trump address his own 'violent rhetoric.'
White House and First Lady call for Jimmy Kimmel's firing
Following Kimmel's joke about the First Lady, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump called for ABC and Disney to fire Kimmel. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung called Kimmel a 'shit human being' and accused him of making a 'disgusting joke about assassinating the President.' Melania Trump stated that Kimmel should be fired and that ABC should 'take a stand,' calling the comedian a 'coward' who 'hides behind ABC.'
White House communications director attacks Jimmy Kimmel on social media
White House communications director Steven Cheung called Jimmy Kimmel a 'shit human being' on social media and demanded that ABC 'fire him immediately' in response to the controversial monologue.
Jimmy Kimmel makes joke about Melania Trump at White House Correspondents' Dinner
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel made a joke on Thursday describing first lady Melania Trump as having the glow of 'an expectant widow,' referencing the age difference between the first lady and President Trump. The joke was made prior to the White House Correspondents' Dinner event.
FCC Chair Carr questions Disney's diversity programs and hiring practices
FCC Chair Brendan Carr has raised questions about Disney potentially engaging in 'race- and gender-based discrimination' through its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Carr stated in March 2025 that if evidence shows Disney engaged in such discrimination, it could affect the company's character qualifications to hold broadcast licenses.
Jimmy Kimmel reiterates joke was about age difference, not incitement
Jimmy Kimmel repeated his monologue on Monday night, explaining that his comment about the first lady having 'a glow like an expectant widow' was a reference to the age difference between the first lady and her husband. He stated it was 'not, by any stretch of the definition, a call to assassination' and noted he has been vocal about opposing gun violence.
FCC has initiated investigations of major broadcast networks except Fox
FCC Chair Brendan Carr has initiated formal investigations of every major broadcast network in the country, including NBC, ABC, PBS, and National Public Radio, with one exception: Fox News, which is owned by Trump ally Rupert Murdoch.
Jimmy Kimmel previously suspended for comments about Charlie Kirk
Jimmy Kimmel's show was taken off the air for one week in September 2025 following backlash from affiliates and conservatives over his comments about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The suspension prompted boycotts of Disney from both supporters and critics of the decision.
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2 alternative perspectives
Kimmel Apologizes as Political Pressure Mounts Over Melania Trump Joke
Kimmel apologizes for Melania Trump joke as Trump family and commentators call for his removal.
Security breach forces cancellation of White House Correspondents' Dinner
Armed security breach forces cancellation of White House Correspondents' Dinner.
Armed Individual Opens Fire at White House Correspondents' Dinner
An armed individual opened fire at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C.
FCC Chair Targets Disney Licenses Amid Kimmel Controversy
FCC Chair signals potential early Disney license review and diversity practice scrutiny amid Kimmel fallout.
White House demands ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel over joke
White House demands ABC fire Kimmel over Melania Trump joke at correspondents' dinner.
Shooting at White House Correspondents' Dinner Raises Security Questions
Shooting at White House Correspondents' dinner marks unprecedented security incident at high-profile Washington event.
Kirk Comments Trigger FCC Chair Criticism and Station Suspensions
FCC Chair Carr criticized Kimmel's Kirk remarks; broadcasters suspended the show in September.
Kimmel's Melania Joke Sparks Calls for Network Action
Jimmy Kimmel's Melania Trump joke sparked calls for firing and network action.