Trump and Melania Demand ABC Fire Jimmy Kimmel Over 'Expectant Widow' Joke

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump both publicly called for ABC to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel after he joked that Melania had 'the glow of an expectant widow' during a White House Correspondents' Dinner skit. Trump characterized the joke as inciting violence and demanded Kimmel's termination, while Melania accused Kimmel of 'hateful and violent rhetoric' and 'atrocious behavior,' stating it was 'time for ABC to take a stand.' The coordinated pressure campaign from the President and First Lady represents a direct attempt to use their official positions to compel a media company to punish a critic for protected satirical speech. Kimmel defended the joke and refused to apologize. The incident occurred days before a shooting at the actual WHCD event, which Trump and Melania cited as context for their demands.

"time for ABC to take a stand" — Melania Trump's statement demanding ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel, characterizing his joke as 'hateful and violent rhetoric' and 'atrocious behavior'