Jimmy Kimmel is under fire after a joke he made about Melania Trump took on a darker tone in the wake of a shocking incident in Washington, D.C. During the April 23 episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” the late-night host poked fun at several political figures, including Donald Trump and Melania, but one particular comment is now drawing intense criticism.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Joke Takes A Dark Turn After Shooting
“Of course, our First Lady Melania is here,” Kimmel said. “Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.”
At the time, the remark didn’t generate widespread attention. But that quickly changed after a gunman breached security at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner just days later, forcing Trump, Melania, and other officials to be escorted out as chaos erupted.
The timing led many to revisit Kimmel’s comment, with critics calling it inappropriate given the circumstances. As The Blast reported, footage from the WHCD continues to circulate online, showing the moment panic broke out inside the Washington Hilton ballroom when shots were fired. The suspected gunman, Cole Tomas Allen, has since been arrested and is expected to appear in federal court.
Meghan McCain Backlash Takes A Turn As Critics Target Her
Public figures and social media users are weighing in on the controversy. “I am so deeply sick of Jimmy Kimmel and the hate he spreads in the world,” Meghan McCain wrote on X, but not everyone agreed with her take, and she quickly became a target herself on social media.
One user fired back, “This post here proves that you are just trying to stay relevant. Stop being a try hard and be yourself. The republicans will continue to talk shit about you and your family no matter what you say or do for them.”
Another added, “And we’ve been sick of you for YEARS.” Others took aim more directly, with one writing, “Do you know who your husband is? Spare us your bullshit about spreading hate.”
Critics Back Meghan McCain As Backlash Against Kimmel Grows
While Meghan McCain faced pushback, plenty of social media users sided with her and doubled down in their criticism of Jimmy Kimmel.
One user wrote, “Disney has bottomed out. If TDS Clown Kimmel is your idea of entertainment, let me cancel Disney Cable, visiting Disney Theme Parks, and supporting ABC TV advertisers. Goodbye, Goofy, there are choices.”
Another added, “Hard to understand one who carries so much hate in his ego. He actually thinks he’s important and funny.” A third chimed in, “Jimmy Kimmel is such a small man. Why hasn’t the network he works for taken his microphone away from him? Stop the hate.”
Jimmy Kimmel’s Latest Controversy Follows Previous Suspension Drama
This isn’t the first time Jimmy Kimmel has found himself at the center of backlash. Just months ago, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was temporarily suspended by ABC and parent company The Walt Disney Company following criticism over one of his monologues about Donald Trump and reactions to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The move sparked widespread debate, with political figures, media personalities, and industry voices weighing in. Some supported the network’s decision, while others slammed it as a threat to free speech, especially as calls from certain conservatives for disciplinary action against commentary perceived as inflammatory grew.
The suspension also triggered boycotts and backlash against ABC, Disney, and affiliated broadcast groups, turning the situation into a broader cultural flashpoint over comedy, politics, and the limits of on-air commentary.
Kimmel’s Long History Of Clashing With Donald Trump
Jimmy Kimmel has long been one of Donald Trump’s most outspoken critics, frequently targeting the former reality star-turned-politician in his monologues.
Over the years, Kimmel has openly acknowledged taking aim at Trump, even joking that part of the appeal is knowing the president dislikes being mocked. Their back-and-forth dates back to Trump’s initial 2015 campaign, when he canceled a planned appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Tensions continued throughout Trump’s presidency, with reports that he pushed for Kimmel to be censored by The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC. Kimmel has also used major platforms, including the Academy Awards, to poke fun at Trump, even reading and mocking one of his Truth Social posts during the 2024 Oscars.