Melania Trump Criticizes Jimmy Kimmel’s Comments

First Lady Melania Trump took aim at Jimmy Kimmel, a host on Disney’s ABC network, after he made remarks during his show. In her response, she referred to him as a “coward” and called his statements divisive. Mrs. Trump urged ABC to take a stand against his comments, which she felt were harmful.

In a post from her official account, she expressed that, “Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is aimed at dividing our country. His monologue about my family is not comedy. His words are corrosive and deepen the political ills in America.”

“People like Kimmel shouldn’t be allowed in our homes every night spreading hate,” she continued. “Kimmel is a coward and hides behind ABC because he knows ABC will protect him.”

She directly addressed Disney, ABC’s parent company, emphasizing, “Enough is enough. It’s time for ABC to stand up. How many times will ABC’s leadership enable Mr. Kimmel’s brutal acts at the expense of our communities?”

Kimmel’s remarks were made during a segment on his show that humorously imitated the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and included jokes about Mrs. Trump. He had quipped that she had “the glow of a pregnant widow,” prompting laughter from the audience.

This broadcast came just days before an incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., where a shooting occurred involving Cole Thomas Allen. Reports indicated that Allen had expressed presidential campaign support for Kamala Harris and had a manifesto detailing his intentions toward Trump administration officials. His brother contacted authorities upon receiving this manifest.

President Donald Trump later referred to the suspect as a “sick man” and described the shooting as a “pretty traumatic experience” for Mrs. Trump. Video footage from the event showed Secret Service agents rapidly securing the president and first lady in response to the gunfire. The dinner was subsequently canceled.

Kimmel faced criticism earlier regarding his comments about an assassination connected to conservative figure Charlie Kirk. In September 2025, he referred to those involved as part of a “MAGA gang,” leading to a backlash. Nexstar Media Group had ordered his show to be pre-aired, asserting that his comments were “offensive and insensitive” during a critical political climate.

Recently, President Trump urged Disney and ABC to dismiss Kimmel after the first lady’s remarks about his comments made before the shooting incident. ABC had previously announced Kimmel’s contract extension, which keeps him on the air until at least May 2027.