George Clooney, Joe Rogan Ridicule Backlash to Jimmy Kimmel’s Trump Joke
George Clooney and Joe Rogan have defended Jimmy Kimmel following backlash over a joke about Melania Trump's appearance, which the Trumps condemned as violent rhetoric. The controversy intensified after an alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, though authorities found no link between the joke and the attack. Kimmel maintained his comment was a lighthearted jab about the couple's age difference and not a call for violence.
- ▪Jimmy Kimmel joked that Melania Trump had 'a glow like an expectant widow,' which the Trumps called hateful and violent rhetoric.
- ▪Joe Rogan argued that no one cared about Kimmel's joke until after the assassination attempt, when it was retroactively blamed on him.
- ▪George Clooney criticized the double standard in interpreting political jokes, comparing Kimmel's remark to Karoline Leavitt's 'shots fired' comment.
- ▪Cole Allen allegedly attempted to assassinate Trump at the Washington Hilton, armed with multiple weapons and ammunition.
- ▪Kimmel clarified his joke was about the Trumps' age gap and Melania's demeanor, not an incitement to violence.
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By Mandy TaheriPolitics and Culture ReporterShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Actor George Clooney and podcaster Joe Rogan are among the high-profile figures defending Jimmy Kimmel after President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump called for ABC to fire the late-night talk show host over a joke he made days before the April shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) Dinner. On the Thursday before the shooting, Kimmel joked on his show the first lady had “a glow like an expectant widow,” a remark he later said was aimed at the couple’s age gap and her public demeanor, not a call for violence.
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