Jimmy Kimmel remains defiant, insists 'expectant widow' jab against Trumps was about age difference
Jimmy Kimmel defended his 'expectant widow' joke about Melania and Donald Trump, stating it was a lighthearted comment on their age difference and not a call to violence. He expressed sympathy for the trauma experienced during the alleged assassination attempt on Trump, while criticizing the president's rhetoric. Kimmel emphasized the importance of free speech and called for unity in reducing hateful discourse.
- ▪Jimmy Kimmel made the 'expectant widow' joke during his monologue, referencing the age gap between Donald and Melania Trump.
- ▪Melania Trump called for ABC to fire Kimmel following the joke, which gained widespread attention after an alleged assassination attempt on Trump.
- ▪Kimmel denied the joke was a call to violence and pointed out his long-standing opposition to gun violence.
- ▪He urged the first lady to discuss reducing violent rhetoric with her husband, citing the First Amendment.
- ▪Oz Pearlman withdrew from appearing on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' after the controversy and was replaced by Jon Lovett.
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Jimmy Kimmel Jimmy Kimmel remains defiant, insists 'expectant widow' jab against Trumps was about age difference First lady Melania Trump called for ABC to fire the liberal comedian By Joseph A. Wulfsohn Fox News Published April 28, 2026 12:19am EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Jimmy Kimmel addresses 'expectant widow' backlash ABC's Jimmy Kimmel addressed the backlash to his viral "expectant widow" joke after President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump called for his firing. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel remained defiant Monday night, insisting his now-viral "expectant widow" joke about President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump was simply about their age.
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