‘Not a call to assassination’: Kimmel defends Melania gag after Trumps demand he be fired
Jimmy Kimmel defended a joke about Melania Trump appearing like an 'expectant widow' as a lighthearted comment, not a call to violence, following backlash from Donald and Melania Trump. The Trumps demanded Kimmel be fired, accusing him of promoting hate and violent rhetoric. The controversy emerged days after an alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ dinner.
- ▪Jimmy Kimmel made the joke during his late-night show days before an alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
- ▪Donald Trump called for Kimmel to be fired by ABC and Disney, calling the joke a 'despicable call to violence.'
- ▪Melania Trump accused Kimmel of spreading 'hateful and violent rhetoric' and criticized ABC for protecting him.
- ▪Kimmel described his comment as a 'light roast' joke based on age differences, not an incitement to harm.
- ▪The incident occurred amid heightened tensions following the shooting at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.