Jimmy Kimmel defends Melania ‘widow’ joke after the Trumps call for him to be fired
Jimmy Kimmel has defended a joke he made about Melania Trump, which the Trumps have labeled as inciting violence. Kimmel stated that his comment was a light roast and not a call to violence, emphasizing the importance of free speech. Melania Trump criticized Kimmel's rhetoric as hateful and called for ABC to take action against him.
- ▪Kimmel's joke about Melania Trump was made days before a shooting at the White House correspondents' dinner.
- ▪Melania Trump accused Kimmel of using hateful and violent rhetoric in her response.
- ▪Kimmel argued that his joke was not intended to incite violence and was merely a commentary on the age difference between the Trumps.
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2:12Trump and White House fire back at Kimmel over Melania 'expectant widow’ joke – videoMelania TrumpJimmy Kimmel defends Melania ‘widow’ joke after the Trumps call for him to be firedFirst lady accuses the comedian of ‘hateful and violent rhetoric’ over joke made days before the White House press dinner shootingChris Stein in WashingtonTue 28 Apr 2026 01.50 EDTFirst published on Mon 27 Apr 2026 12.11 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleJimmy Kimmel has refused to apologise for a joke made days before the White House correspondents’ dinner shooting in which he described Melania Trump as glowing “like an expectant widow”, after both Donald Trump and the first lady accused him of inciting violence.On Monday Melania Trump accused Kimmel of “hateful and violent rhetoric” and “atrocious…
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