Kimmel Responds to Backlash Over Joke About Trump

Late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel has pushed back against criticism and calls for his dismissal following a joke he made about President Donald Trump, suggesting he was dead prior to a recent assassination attempt.

During the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, Kimmel jokingly referenced the president, which has drawn ire from some quarters.

“I think it’s important to reject hateful and violent rhetoric,” Kimmel mentioned, acknowledging the gravity of the situation but emphasizing that he believes the best way to address such issues is through dialogue with his spouse.

Just two days after his joke, an individual allegedly opened fire at a dinner event after making threats online toward the president and his administration.

Kimmel addressed the backlash on his show, humorously remarking, “You ever wake up and find that the First Lady is calling for you to be fired? It’s happened to all of us!”

He clarified that his joke was not aimed at implying the president’s death but rather joked about the first lady’s lack of expressiveness.

“It was just a lighthearted comment about age and… you know, her looking young compared to him,” Kimmel said, defending his stance further by asserting no call for violence was intended. “They know it wasn’t that.” He also noted that he has long been vocal against gun violence and understood the pressures the First Lady might be experiencing.

Kimmel had previously joked, “Look at Mrs. Trump, so lovely. I mean, she has the glow of a pregnant widow!” which the couple took offense to, leading them to demand his removal from the show.

The First Lady later published her own comments, stating, “Kimmel’s hateful commentary serves to divide our nation. It’s not comedy—it only fuels the political discord we’re facing.” She urged the public not to allow Kimmel the platform to disseminate what she described as hate.