- Donald Trump again publicly demanded ABC fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel following a joke about Melania Trump, which he made days before a gunman attempted to storm the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
- In a Thursday morning Truth Social rant, Trump wrote: “When is ABC Fake News Network firing seriously unfunny Jimmy Kimmel, who incompetently presides over one of the Lowest Rated shows on Television? People are angry. It better be soon!!! President DJT.”
- Melania Trump criticized Kimmel on X, labeling him a “coward” and accusing his “hateful and violent rhetoric” of dividing the country and deepening political sickness, urging ABC to take a stand.
- The National Religious Broadcasters Association filed a complaint with the FCC, expressing concerns about the joke's potential to normalize political violence and requesting an investigation. The FCC subsequently informed ABC that it must apply to renew its broadcast licenses by May 28, earlier than their 2028 expiration, a request reportedly linked to a prior investigation into the company’s DEI practices.
- Kimmel defended his joke on his show, clarifying it was a light roast about age difference and “not a call to assassination,” while also expressing sympathy for those affected by the gunman incident and suggesting hateful rhetoric should be discussed with Donald Trump.
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