Trump Demands ABC Quickly Fire Jimmy Kimmel
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday again pressured ABC to immediately fire late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, warning that the matter "better be resolved quickly." Trump posted on TruthSocial, "When will the Fake News Network ABC fire that very unfunny Jimmy Kimmel? He is terribly hosting one of the lowest rated shows on television. People are angry. This should be resolved quickly!"
The catalyst for this controversy was a segment of Kimmel's show on April 23rd where he imitated hosting the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, saying to the camera towards Melania Trump: "Mrs. Trump, you're radiating like a 'soon-to-be widow'." Two days after the show aired, a shooting occurred at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, injuring a Secret Service agent, and the Trump couple and others were urgently evacuated. The Trumps believe Kimmel's remarks incited violence.
First Lady Melania had previously posted on social platform X condemning Kimmel, calling his remarks "filled with hatred and violence" and demanding that ABC "take a stand."
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission ordered a "preliminary review" of licenses for eight ABC-owned stations on Tuesday, requiring them to submit renewal applications within 30 days. These licenses were originally due to expire in 2028. The decision to expedite the review marks a sharp escalation in the struggle between the Trump administration and mainstream media. The Walt Disney Company stated it had received the notice, emphasizing that it has "fully complied with FCC regulations for a long time."
Kimmel responded on Monday's show, saying it was just a joke about the age gap between the Trump couple. "He's almost 80 years old, and she's younger than me," Kimmel said, "This is certainly not inciting assassination."
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Trump Says ABC Should Fire Late-Night Talk Show Host Kimmel