Will ABC Fire Jimmy Kimmel? Inside Network’s Silence After Melania Trump’s Demand For Action

Jimmy Kimmel has once again found himself in controversy over his words. But things have turned serious this time after the first lady, Melania Trump, came out to criticise his jokes. In turn, she directly asked ABC to take action against the late-night host. It all began after Jimmy made some jokes about her during a parody of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Incidentally, it was followed by shooting incidents at the actual high-profile dinner over the weekend. As a result, both Donald Trump and Melania Trump have now demanded that the network pull down the curtains on Jimmy’s show. 

Will ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel?

U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, have both asked ABC to take action against Jimmy Kimmel. But ABC has not announced any plans to remove or suspend the late-night host until April 28, 2026. In fact, the network has been silent despite mounting public pressure. For those unaware, the ABC previously suspended Jimmy in September 2025. But they had to reverse the decision within days after they received major criticism from viewers and interest groups. 

Soon after his return, Jimmy signed a contract extension with ABC. It reportedly ensures his show will be on air through 2027. It means the network cannot remove it unless there is immediate action. Meanwhile, Melania Trump called out Jimmy Kimmel for calling her an “expectant widow” shortly before the shooting incident at White House Correspondents’ Dinner. He said, “Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs Trump, you glow an expectant widow.” Initially, the joke was seen as a typical late-night satire. But the firing incident involving an armed suspect has turned the tables on Jimmy, who is accused of inciting violence. 

The clip of Jimmy Kimmel’s joke went viral across social media. Some social media users accused the comedian of crossing a line. At the same time, his supporters argued that it was political satire, not a literal suggestion. Meanwhile, the First Lady took to her X handle and accused Jimmy of inciting divisiveness across the country, demanding action against him. Donald Trump echoed the sentiment in a separate post on Trump Social. Calling Jimmy a “Coward”, Melania penned:

“Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country. His monologue about my family isn’t comedy—his words are corrosive and deepen the political sickness within America. People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate. 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.”

What happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner?

The political tension against Jimmy Kimmel has grown stronger after the shocking incidents at White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Authorities revealed that a man named Cole Tomas Allen allegedly tried to breach security at the Washington Hilton, where the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was being held. The 31-year-old carried weapons and injured a Secret Service agent before he was arrested. 

In turn, President Trump, Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance, were escorted out of the venue by security officials. In fact, investigators are treating it as a possible assassination attempt on the President. Although Jimmy Kimmel has no proven connection with the suspect, the timing of his joke has started a new debate. 

More about Jimmy Kimmel

Jimmy Kimmel is one of America’s most famous late-night hosts. He has held his position for more than two decades. The 58-year-old began his career with shows such as The Man Show and Win Ben Stein’s Money. Eventually, Jimmy began to host his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, on ABC in 2003. In turn, he has become the long-running current late-night host on network TV.

Jimmy has also hosted major prime-time events, including the Academy Awards and the Primetime Emmy Awards, which have introduced him to a global audience. However, Jimmy’s move of blending comedy with political commentary has invited him to criticism. He usually calls out Trump and Republican politics under his own name, which has once again brought him into the spotlight. 

What do you think about ABC’s decision to be quiet on Jimmy Kimmel’s criticism?

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