George Clooney Faces Backlash for Defending Jimmy Kimmel

George Clooney stirred up controversy online after defending Jimmy Kimmel following his comment that first lady Melania Trump resembled a “pregnant widow.” This remark came just two days before a shooting incident linked to President Trump, marking the third attempt on his life.

The 64-year-old actor, known for his strong Democratic views, responded to questions about Kimmel’s humor on Monday night. He stated, “a joke is a joke,” which led to a wave of criticism on the internet.

“Jimmy is a comedian. I would argue he didn’t mean that Caroline Leavitt should shoot,” Clooney remarked during the 51st Chaplin Awards ceremony, as reported.

Clooney asserted that Kimmel’s joke was meant ironically, adding, “If you look on that side, you’re like, ‘Well, a joke is a joke.'” However, he also acknowledged the potential danger of such comments, noting, “I’ve been seeing it a lot lately.”

In light of the recent violence at the Washington gala, Clooney insisted there was “no place” for such actions anywhere, referencing incidents involving individuals in Minnesota.

Critics quickly targeted Clooney, with some questioning his mental state, while others labeled him “irrelevant” and a “grumpy old man.” One individual sarcastically suggested, “Americans can sleep in peace tonight if they understand George Clooney’s opinion.”

The backlash culminated in calls to “cancel George Clooney,” with some users declaring they would no longer watch his films.

In the meantime, Kimmel’s joke about the first lady did not sit well with the Trumps. During his skit at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Kimmel had said, “Look at Melania, she’s so beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have the glow of a pregnant widow.”

Defending his performance, Kimmel suggested his jokes were distanced from the serious issue at hand, saying it highlighted the dynamics in Melania and Trump’s relationship.

The first lady responded by condemning Kimmel, stating that his words were “hateful and violent,” aimed at creating division in the country. She insisted, “His monologue about my family is not comedy,” and characterized his rhetoric as corrosive to America’s political landscape.

Melania Trump further insisted that platforms like Kimmel’s should not allow such divisive speech. She called out ABC for enabling these comments and asserted that it was time for the network to take a stand.

President Trump echoed her sentiments, demanding Kimmel’s firing from ABC, stating that such comments should not be broadcasted.

In a related note, Oz Perlman, the mentalist who performed at the gala, canceled his appearance on Kimmel’s show after the violent incident.