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Trump demands Disney, ABC fire Kimmel for Melania joke

4/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump used Truth Social on April 28 to demand Disney and ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel.
Kimmel’s April 23 “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” joke called First Lady Melania Trump an “expectant widow” two days before a gunman attacked the Correspondents’ Dinner.
White House communications director Steven Cheung called Kimmel a “s--- human being” and urged ABC to fire him.
ABC and Disney have not commented while the show remains on air.

History

Historical Context

When Donald Trump urged Disney/ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel on April 28 2024, he echoed a pattern of political leaders trying to curb dissent. The Supreme Court’s 6-3, June 30 1971 ruling in New York Times Co. v. United States rejected Nixon’s prior-restraint attempt to block the 2.5-million-page Pentagon Papers, cementing press freedom that today shields broadcasters like Kimmel.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump used Truth Social on April 28 to demand Disney and ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel.
Kimmel’s April 23 “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” joke called First Lady Melania Trump an “expectant widow” two days before a gunman attacked the Correspondents’ Dinner.
White House communications director Steven Cheung called Kimmel a “s--- human being” and urged ABC to fire him.
ABC and Disney have not commented while the show remains on air.

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