U.S. President Donald Trump is calling for ABC and Walt Disney to immediately terminate late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, intensifying an ongoing conflict between the administration and the comedian following a controversial joke delivered on air last Thursday.
Kimmel's monologue, part of a segment parodying the upcoming White House correspondents' dinner, included a quip that Melania Trump "had a glow like an expectant widow." The timing proved particularly contentious, as a shooting erupted Saturday in the lobby of the Washington Hilton where the actual dinner was taking place.
During the incident, a suspect identified as Cole Allen breached a security checkpoint and opened fire on Secret Service agents, wounding one officer before being apprehended. President Trump and the First Lady were evacuated safely from the venue.
History of Conflict Intensifies
This marks the latest chapter in an escalating dispute between Trump and Kimmel. The president has repeatedly pressured broadcasters and regulatory bodies to remove programming he views as unfair or critical, often calling for licence revocation and other punitive measures.
The tensions peaked in September 2025 when Kimmel faced temporary suspension following remarks about an alleged shooter connected to conservative activist Charlie Kirk. At that time, FCC Chair Brendan Carr issued strong warnings to local broadcasters airing the show, suggesting potential fines or licence forfeitures.
Following Carr's intervention, major broadcast groups including Nexstar Media and Sinclair Broadcast Group—collectively operating roughly one-quarter of ABC affiliates—halted airings of Kimmel's program. ABC subsequently pulled the show indefinitely before reversing the decision approximately one week later after negotiations between Kimmel and Disney executives.
Free Speech Advocates Push Back
The recurring controversies have drawn attention from free speech advocates. Constitutional experts note that broadcasters maintain broad First Amendment protections to air comedy, even material considered in poor taste. The controversy prompted prominent entertainers including Tom Hanks, Barbra Streisand, Jennifer Aniston, and Billie Eilish to sign an American Civil Liberties Union letter characterizing ABC's previous suspension as "a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation."
The latest incident underscores persistent tensions between the Trump administration and media figures, particularly late-night personalities whose programs frequently feature political commentary and satire.
This story is based on reporting from CBC World.