What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Melania Trump? ‘Expectant widow’ joke sparks outrage

Washington: US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have renewed calls for ABC to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel after a controversial joke in which he described the first lady as having “the glow of an expectant widow.”

Donald and Melania Trump both called for ABC to dismiss Kimmel on Monday following remarks made during a routine last week, escalating a fresh political and media controversy involving the comedian.

The remark about the president’s wife came during Thursday’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” segment, where Kimmel performed a satirical White House Correspondents’ Association dinner routine. During the act, he referred to Melania Trump as having “the glow of an expectant widow.”

The WHCA dinner event two nights later was cut short after a man armed with guns and knives allegedly attempted to enter the Washington ballroom where the Trumps and other political leaders were gathered.

“People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate,” Melania Trump said in a social media post later echoed by her husband.

Donald Trump also reacted strongly on Truth Social, writing,

“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 ABC and its parent Walt Disney Co.

There was no immediate comment from ABC.

Kimmel, who has long been a vocal critic of Trump, has previously faced disciplinary action from the network. He was suspended after comments referencing the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a move that followed pressure linked to FCC chairman Brendan Carr. He was later reinstated after backlash.

Following his return, Kimmel clarified that he was not attempting to mock Kirk’s death, saying, “many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalise on the murder of Charlie Kirk,”

adding that he did not intend to make light of the killing. However, he did not issue an apology, and criticised station owners who initially pulled his show before later reversing course.

ABC later signed Kimmel to a one-year contract extension, keeping him on air until May 2027. His show has been on the network since January 2003.

His late-night rival Stephen Colbert — also a frequent Trump critic — is set to see his CBS show end next month.

During Thursday’s WHCA-themed routine, Kimmel used staged “cutaways” to the Trumps and others. Speaking in character, he said:

“Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.”

He also joked about Melania Trump’s birthday, saying:

“She’s planning to celebrate at home the same way she always does — looking out a window and whispering, ‘What have I done?’”

And added another satirical line:

“Before we go any further, Melania, this is Donald. Donald, this is Melania. That was my impression of Jeffrey Epstein.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Kimmel of contributing to a broader culture of political hostility, saying:

“Who in their right mind says a wife would be glowing over the potential murder of her beloved husband?”

The National Religious Broadcasters association has also filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission, urging an investigation into ABC.

“We're seeing a pattern of violence in this country that didn't appear overnight,” said Troy Miller, NRB president and CEO. “When influential voices joke about death or treat political opponents as disposable, it contributes to a culture where violence feels thinkable to the already unstable.”

Separately, authorities said Cole Tomas Allen, a California man arrested after attempting to rush into the WHCA dinner, has been charged with the attempted assassination of the president.