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Trump Demands ABC Fire Kimmel Over “Widow” Joke

4/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

First Lady Melania Trump accused ABC of shielding Jimmy Kimmel and called his “expectant widow” joke hateful and violent.
U.S. President Donald Trump demanded Disney and ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel after the joke aired before the Correspondents' Dinner shooting, calling it a despicable call to violence.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt labeled the comments completely deranged and noted the shooter was identified as Cole Tomas Allen.

History

Historical Context

The April 20 1999 Columbine High School shooting killed 13 students and a teacher, injuring 23 and igniting a national debate over media influence that still shapes political pressure on broadcasters. In 2024, Donald Trump and Melania Trump urged Disney and ABC to dismiss Jimmy Kimmel after his joke about a school-shooting dinner, echoing the same pattern of invoking past tragedies to demand media accountability.

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Story summary

First Lady Melania Trump accused ABC of shielding Jimmy Kimmel and called his “expectant widow” joke hateful and violent.
U.S. President Donald Trump demanded Disney and ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel after the joke aired before the Correspondents' Dinner shooting, calling it a despicable call to violence.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt labeled the comments completely deranged and noted the shooter was identified as Cole Tomas Allen.

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