U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have called for the dismissal of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel following a controversial comedy segment that has sparked political backlash.
The criticism stems from remarks made by Kimmel during a parody monologue ahead of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where he made a joke referencing Melania Trump. The comment drew sharp reactions from both the president and the first lady, who described the remarks as inappropriate and divisive.
Melania Trump condemned the segment as “corrosive,” arguing it reflected a deeper political divide in the United States. She accused Kimmel of promoting rhetoric that contributes to national discord and called on broadcasters to take action.
President Trump echoed those sentiments, urging ABC and its parent company The Walt Disney Company to immediately terminate Kimmel. He described the joke as going “far beyond the pale,” intensifying his longstanding criticism of media figures he считает unfair.
The controversy comes in the wake of a security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where Trump and other officials were evacuated after a gunman breached a checkpoint and exchanged fire with security personnel. While the shooting was unrelated to Kimmel’s remarks, the timing has heightened sensitivities around public discourse.
Media experts note that broadcasters in the United States are protected by strong First Amendment rights, allowing for satire and criticism, even when it provokes public outrage.
As of now, neither ABC nor Disney has publicly responded to the calls for Kimmel’s removal, leaving the situation unresolved as debates over media freedom and political rhetoric continue.
