Story perspectives

Trump Pair Demand Disney Fire Kimmel Over Shooting Joke

4/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump and Melania Trump demanded Disney-ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel, linking his joke to the shooting.
Kimmel delivered the “expectant widow” line on an April 23 White House Correspondents’ Dinner monologue, prompting White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to call shooting, for which the gunman was arrested, rhetoric that legitimizes violence.
ABC and Disney have not commented on the demand, despite suspending Kimmel’s show after remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

History

Historical Context

The 2024 demand by Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump that Disney-ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel echoes earlier government-media clashes, notably the 2004 Super Bowl halftime “wardrobe malfunction” that spurred the FCC to receive about 540,000 complaints and levy a $550,000 fine against CBS. Both episodes illustrate how political pressure has repeatedly prompted stricter broadcast scrutiny.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump and Melania Trump demanded Disney-ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel, linking his joke to the shooting.
Kimmel delivered the “expectant widow” line on an April 23 White House Correspondents’ Dinner monologue, prompting White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to call shooting, for which the gunman was arrested, rhetoric that legitimizes violence.
ABC and Disney have not commented on the demand, despite suspending Kimmel’s show after remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

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