What Can Trump Do About His Jimmy Kimmel Problem
President Donald Trump has called for comedian Jimmy Kimmel to be fired following a joke Kimmel made about First Lady Melania Trump appearing like an 'expectant widow,' which Trump labeled a 'despicable call to violence.' The FCC is reportedly considering a review of Disney's broadcast licenses, amid pressure from Trump and a Christian broadcasters' group, though legal experts say the agency has little authority to act against political speech. Kimmel defended his remarks as protected satire, while experts note that government pressure on broadcasters could raise First Amendment concerns. Despite the backlash, Kimmel's show has seen increased viewership following past controversies, and Disney has recently restructured its leadership, potentially affecting how it responds to political pressure.
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By Khaleda RahmanNational CorrespondentShareNewsweek 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.President Donald Trump wants Jimmy Kimmel gone.Kimmel has once again found himself in the crosshairs of the administration over a joke he told on Thursday’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! in which he pretended to deliver a routine for the White House Correspondents' Dinner and joked that first lady Melania Trump had the “glow of an expectant widow.”Then on Saturday night, the dinner was cut short after a gunman tried to storm the event at the Washington Hilton, where Trump and other top administration officials gathered in what authorities said was an attempt to assassinate the president.
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