What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Melania Trump? ABC host faces firing calls

• Jimmy Kimmel is facing backlash for a joke he made about First Lady Melania Trump during his April 23 monologue.
• The controversy was amplified by a shooting that occurred at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner two days later.
• President Trump and Melania Trump condemned the remark and called for Kimmel to be fired by ABC.

Jimmy Kimmel is once again facing backlash from conservatives for comments made just days before the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on April 25.

The late-night comedian used the April 23 episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" to "take a page from the Kid Rock alternative halftime show" and host his own "alternative" to the annual dinner, which traditionally hosts comedians.

The monologue included a series of jabs at Trump, including a comment describing him as a "delicate snowflake with the thinnest, fat skin of any human being ever," as well as references to the Epstein files and Trump's AI‑generated Jesus Christ social media post.

Much of the controversy, however, has stemmed from a comment Kimmel made about First Lady Melania Trump, leading President Trump to publicly condemn the remark and call for his firing.

Here's everything to know.

What did Jimmy Kimmel say about Melania Trump? 

As he stood behind a faux podium during the April 23 monologue, Kimmel said: "Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow."

Two days later, shots rang out at the Washington Hilton hotel and the president and first lady were evacuated.

Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, is being charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump as well as with transporting a firearm and ammunition across state lines with the intent to commit a felony and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, USA TODAY reported.

President Trump, Melania condemn Kimmel, call for his firing

Two days later, the first lady took to X to criticize Kimmel's "hateful and violent rhetoric," adding that he should not have the opportunity to enter homes and "spread hate."

"A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him," she wrote. "Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand."

"How many times will ABC’s leadership enable Kimmel’s atrocious behavior at the expense of our community," she continued.

That same day, President Trump condemn the comedian on Truth Social, calling his statement "really shocking."

"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," he wrote. "Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC."

Will Jimmy Kimmel be fired for Melania comment?

ABC has not commented on Kimmel’s April 23 remarks or his employment status.

This is not the first time the comedian has faced backlash for comments about political figures.

Following the 2025 fatal shooting of conservative commentator and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, Kimmel was temporarily suspended after Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission, urged ABC to take action.

In response to calls from the White House to be fired, Kimmel said: "I agree that hateful and violent rhetoric is something we should reject, I do, and I think a great place to start to dial that back would be to have a conversation with your husband about it," during his monologue on the April 27 episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

Where to watch 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' in Nashville

"Jimmy Kimmel Live!" airs weeknights on ABC at 10:35 p.m. local time. Episodes may also be streamed on Hulu.

Subscription plans range from $11.99 to $35.99 per month and may be bundled with other streaming services such as Disney+, HBO Max and ESPN.

Watch Jimmy Kimmel monologue featuring Melania, 'expectant widow' joke

Contributing: USA TODAY

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected].