'It better be soon!!!': Donald Trump has (again) called for ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel

DONALD TRUMP HAS again urged ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel, days after making the demand over a joke the comedian made on his late-night talk show. 

In a post on his Truth Social platform, the US president wrote: “When is ABC Fake News Network firing seriously unfunny Jimmy Kimmel, who incompetently presides over one of the Lowest Rated shows on Television?

“People are angry. It better be soon!!! President DJT.”

It comes a day after the US Federal Communications Commission ordered an early review of ABC’s broadcasting licence. The order affects Disney, which owns ABC, and its television subsidiaries. The licences were not scheduled to have to apply for renewal until at least 2028.

In a Jimmy Kimmel Live! show last week, the host had portrayed himself as MC of the upcoming White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, addressing the first lady and saying: “Mrs Trump, you have the glow of an expectant widow.”

Advertisement

It was two days before a gunman opened fire at the media dinner in Washington DC, which was attended by the US president and first lady. The suspect, Cole Allen, was charged with attempting to assassinate Trump earlier this week. 

On Monday, Melania Trump called for ABC to “take a stand” against Kimmel over the remark, claiming his “hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country”.

“His monologue about my family isn’t comedy – his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America,” she said in a post on X.

The US president later echoed his wife’s comments, saying the joke was “a despicable call to violence” and that Kimmel “should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC”. 

Kimmel brushed off the criticism on his show last night, saying the gag was “obviously… a joke about their age difference.”

Related Reads

US regulator to review ABC broadcasting licence after Trumps criticised Jimmy Kimmel joke

Jimmy Kimmel says Melania Trump widow joke was not 'a call to assassination'

Melania Trump urges ABC to 'take a stand' against Jimmy Kimmel after widow remark

“It was a very light roast joke about the fact that he’s almost 80 and she’s younger than I am,” Kimmel said. “It was not by any stretch of the definition a call to assassination, and they know that.”

He said he was sorry that Trump and those in attendance at the event went through that traumatic and scary experience.

“I agree that hateful and violent rhetoric is something we should reject. I do, and I think a great place to start to dial that back would be to have a conversation with your husband about it.”

Kimmel was previously taken off the air and suspended indefinitely following comments he made on the show after the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, an ally of Trump.

He returned five days later following criticism from the public, Hollywood and political figures who said it was an infringement of their freedom of speech and the freedom of the press.

ABC and Kimmel have been contacted for comment.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More Support The Journal