Story perspectives

FCC Reviews ABC Licenses After Trump Calls for Kimmel’s Firing

4/30/2026

Summary

FCC Reviews Licenses

The Federal Communications Commission announced it is reviewing ABC's broadcast licenses for anti-discrimination violations, with chair Brendan Carr overseeing the review.
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump posted on Truth Social and X demanding ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel after his “expectant widow” joke, which they linked to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.
Ben Shapiro and Senator Ted Cruz defended Kimmel, saying firing him would be improper.

Summary

Kimmel Fuels Feud

Jimmy Kimmel said jokes brought U.S. President Donald Trump and Melania Trump closer, saying he “played a part.”
He replayed footage of U.S. President Donald Trump nudging Melania Trump’s hand with pinky, after which Melania Trump called him a “coward” and urged ABC to fire him.
Jon Stewart warned that the Kimmel-Trump feud is hurting U.S. President Donald Trump and could spark backlash that motivates people to rise above chaos.

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FCC Reviews Licenses

The Federal Communications Commission announced it is reviewing ABC's broadcast licenses for anti-discrimination violations, with chair Brendan Carr overseeing the review.
U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump posted on Truth Social and X demanding ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel after his “expectant widow” joke, which they linked to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.
Ben Shapiro and Senator Ted Cruz defended Kimmel, saying firing him would be improper.

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