Full Breakdown
Trump Demands ABC Fire Jimmy Kimmel After White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting
4/28/2026, 12:55:03 AM
Event Overview
On Monday, former President Donald Trump used Truth Social to demand Disney-ABC fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, alleging the host’s monologue mocking First Lady Melania Trump incited violence. The Thursday segment featured a joke about the first lady’s “glow of an expectant widow” and a broader jab at the president. Trump linked the sketch to a Saturday-night shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where 31-year-old California teacher Cole Tomas Allen tried to breach the Washington Hilton with a shotgun, handgun and knives.
Timeline
Thursday night Kimmel aired monologue; Saturday night Cole Tomas Allen attempted to storm White House Correspondents’ Dinner at Washington Hilton, armed with shotgun, handgun and knives; Monday Trump posted his demand and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued rebuttal.
Official Statements & Responses
Trump’s Truth Social post called Kimmel’s remarks “shocking” and demanded his immediate dismissal by Disney and ABC. In a White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the jokes, questioning how a wife could “glow over the potential murder of her beloved husband” and labeling the rhetoric “completely deranged.”
Criticism & Opposition
Media commentators and free-speech advocates have challenged the causal link between Kimmel’s satire and Allen’s attack, noting no evidence that the shooter cited the monologue. The earlier FCC intervention that briefly suspended Kimmel also drew criticism for perceived suppression of comedic expression.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Trump’s claim that Kimmel’s sketch caused the shooting is not supported by Allen’s own note, which says he felt a duty to target Trump administration officials. No public evidence links the monologue to his motive.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Wow, Jimmy Kimmel, who is in no way funny as attested to by his terrible Television Ratings, made a statement on his Show that is really shocking,” — Donald Trump, former President (Truth Social post)
- “I appreciate that so many people are incensed by Kimmel’s despicable call to violence, and normally would not be responsive to anything that he said but, this is something far beyond the pale. Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC.” — Donald Trump, former President (Truth Social post)
- “Who in their right minds says a wife would be glowing over the potential murder of her beloved husband?” — Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary
- “Our president is a delicate snowflake with the thinnest, fat skin of any human being ever, and that means there’s going to be no comedian this year,” — Jimmy Kimmel, host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
What’s Next
ABC has not yet issued a response to Trump’s demand. Cole Tomas Allen has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president, and his case will proceed through the courts.
