Story perspectives

Trump Demands ABC Fire Kimmel Over “Call to Violence” Joke

4/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump used Truth Social on April 27 to call Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue a “call to violence” and demand his dismissal.
President Donald Trump and Melania Trump asked ABC and Disney to fire Jimmy Kimmel after his April 23 “expectant widow” joke aired before the April 25 shooting.
ABC and Disney have not commented on the arrest of Cole Tomas Allen for the April 25 Washington Hilton shooting that targeted Trump administration members.

History

Historical Context

In mid-1971, White House aide Charles Colson drafted Nixon’s “master enemies list,” naming 220 opponents and sending it to counsel John Dean. The list fed the Watergate-era battle between the press and the administration, highlighted by the June 17 1972 break-in. In April 2024, Donald Trump used Truth Social to urge ABC and Disney to fire Jimmy Kimmel, echoing Nixon-era attempts to pressure media.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump used Truth Social on April 27 to call Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue a “call to violence” and demand his dismissal.
President Donald Trump and Melania Trump asked ABC and Disney to fire Jimmy Kimmel after his April 23 “expectant widow” joke aired before the April 25 shooting.
ABC and Disney have not commented on the arrest of Cole Tomas Allen for the April 25 Washington Hilton shooting that targeted Trump administration members.

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