Full Breakdown
Megyn Kelly Accuses Jimmy Kimmel of Wishing Trump Dead Amid Post-WHCA Dinner Controversy
4/30/2026, 1:18:32 AM
Megyn Kelly’s Accusation: Kimmel Would Celebrate Trump’s Death
On Tuesday’s episode of her self-titled show, former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly said “Jimmy Kimmel would love to see Trump assassinated,” adding that the host “loathes him with a passion as bright as 10,000 suns.” Kelly’s remarks followed Kimmel’s WHCA dinner monologue, where he joked that First Lady Melania Trump “looks like an expectant widow.”
Background: Kimmel’s Monologue and the WHCA Shooting
During the WHCA dinner, Kimmel showed a video of Melania and delivered the “expectant widow” line. Two days later, a gunman opened fire at the event, attended by President Donald Trump, the First Lady, and senior officials. Trump and Melania then called for ABC to remove Kimmel. Kimmel defended his joke, saying it was “not by any stretch of the definition a call to assassination” and noting his long-standing advocacy against gun violence.
Official Statements & Responses
ABC declined a formal apology, with Kimmel reiterating his remarks did not incite violence. The White House, via statements from the President and First Lady, urged ABC to terminate Kimmel’s employment. The FCC chairman, in a filing, signaled potential scrutiny of Disney’s broadcast holdings. Gayle King publicly countered Kelly’s claims, emphasizing Kimmel’s lack of intent to threaten the President.
Criticism & Opposition
Kelly dismissed King’s defense as insufficient, describing Kimmel’s joke as in poor taste, lacking class, and bordering on a call for violence. She rebuked Clooney’s support, accusing him of having a God complex and arguing that Karoline Leavitt’s “shots will be fired” comment was an idiom, not comparable to Kimmel’s humor. Kelly framed the incident as a test of media standards and political tolerance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I bet Jimmy Kimmel would love to see Trump assassinated,” — Megyn Kelly, Talk-Show Host
- “It was not by any stretch of the definition a call to assassination,” — Jimmy Kimmel, ABC Host
- “not some crazy person who would wish the president to be killed.” — Gayle King, CBS Co-Host
- “Jimmy’s a comedian, and I would argue that Karoline Leavitt didn’t mean shots should be fired,” — George Clooney, Actor
- “But the problem is George Clooney has a God complex.” — Megyn Kelly, Talk-Show Host
Impact on Media and Political Discourse
The clash highlights tensions between comedic expression, political criticism, and perceived threats of violence. It raises questions about the limits of satire in a polarized environment, the role of regulatory bodies in content disputes, and the potential for media personalities to influence public perception of political leaders.
