ABC is "sticking by" Jimmy Kimmel after his "expectant widow" joke about Melania Trump.
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host has faced backlash from the First Lady and her husband, US President Donald Trump, following his comments last week, but the Disney-owned broadcaster isn't rushing to take action the same way they did after his remarks over the death of Charlie Kirk earlier this year.
An ABC insider told Page Six that the network “is sticking by” Jimmy, and they "don’t plan to suspend him, fire him or cancel the show".
The source added: "It’s back to taping per usual. They’re moving on.”
Jimmy made his joke on Jimmy Kimmel Live! days before an alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump, 79, at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday (25.04.26).
During a parody of the event, he referenced Melania’s appearance and 56th birthday.
During the segment, he said: “Our First Lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.”
He added: “You know, Melania's birthday is on Sunday. She's planning to celebrate at home the same way she always does, looking out a window and whispering, ‘What have I done?’”
In response, Melania fired back at the late night star's supposed "hateful and violent rhetoric".
She ranted: “His monologue about my family isn't comedy – his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America.”
She continued: “People like Kimmel shouldn't have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate.”
Melania added: “A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him. Enough is enough.
"It is time for ABC to take a stand. How many times will ABC's leadership enable Kimmel's atrocious behavior at the expense of our community.”
Meanwhile, Trump later took to Truth Social to criticise the "shocking" joke, and called for Kimmel to be "immediately fired by Disney and ABC".
Jimmy has since defended what he described as his "very light roast".
He said earlier this week: "[It was] obviously a joke about their age difference and the look of joy we see on her face every time they're together."
He added: "It was a very light roast joke about the fact that he's almost 80 and she's younger than I am.
"It was not by any stretch a call to assassination and they know that I've been very vocal for many years, speaking out against gun violence in particular."
Jimmy Kimmel Live! was temporarily suspended following his comments about the death of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk.
Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform at the time: "Great News for America: The ratings challenged Jimmy Kimmel Show is CANCELLED.
"Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done. Kimmel has ZERO talent, and worse ratings than even Colbert, if that’s possible."
Less than a week later, ABC confirmed the return of the programme, prompting the president to ask why they wanted "someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99 [percent] positive Democrat GARBAGE".
