The remark came during Thursday’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” in which Kimmel staged a parody version of the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, appearing in a tuxedo behind a podium and delivering jokes aimed at the Trump administration and political figures, including the first lady.

Referring to Melania Trump in a staged audience cutaway, Kimmel said, “Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.”The joke drew sharp condemnation from both the president and first lady after a security scare at the actual correspondents’ dinner on Saturday, when a California man armed with guns and knives allegedly attempted to enter the Washington ballroom where Trump, Melania Trump and senior U.S. political leaders were gathered.

Authorities later charged Cole Tomas Allen with the attempted assassination of the president.Melania Trump said in a social media post that “people like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate,” describing the comedian’s remarks as “hateful and violent rhetoric” intended to divide the country.

“A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him,” she wrote. “Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand.”Trump repeated the demand on his Truth Social platform, calling Kimmel’s comment a “despicable call to violence” and saying the comedian should be “immediately fired” by ABC and its parent company, Walt Disney Co.“

I appreciate that so many people are incensed by Kimmel’s despicable call to violence, and normally would not be responsive to anything that he said but, this is something far beyond the pale,” Trump wrote.ABC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also criticized the late-night host, saying the remark reflected broader rhetoric from Democrats and parts of the media that had helped “legitimize this violence.”

“Who in their right mind says a wife would be glowing over the potential murder of her beloved husband?” Leavitt said, although there was no indication Kimmel was directly referring to violence.The National Religious Broadcasters association said it had filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission seeking an investigation into ABC, arguing that repeated jokes about political violence contribute to a broader culture of instability.

“We’re seeing a pattern of violence in this country that didn’t appear overnight,” NRB President and CEO Troy Miller said. “When influential voices joke about death or treat political opponents as disposable, it contributes to a culture where violence feels thinkable to the already unstable.”Kimmel, one of Trump’s most frequent late-night critics, has repeatedly clashed with the administration.

Last year, ABC temporarily suspended him after comments related to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk triggered backlash from Trump allies and some local affiliates. The suspension followed pressure from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee.

Kimmel later returned to air, saying he had not intended to make light of Kirk’s killing, though he stopped short of an apology and criticized station owners who removed him from programming before later reinstating him.Shortly after that episode, ABC signed Kimmel to a one-year contract extension that keeps him on air through May 2027.

His program has aired on the network since January 2003.During Thursday’s monologue, Kimmel also joked about Melania Trump’s birthday, saying she planned to celebrate “the same way she always does looking out a window and whispering, ‘What have I done?’”He also made a separate joke referencing Jeffrey Epstein while introducing the president and first lady.

Kimmel had not publicly responded to Monday’s criticism.

YouTube and Disney are working toward a positive resolution to restore Disney’s popular networks on YouTube TV, reflecting a shared commitment to fairness, innovation, and delivering high-quality entertainment experiences for millions of U.S. viewers.

YouTube has expressed optimism about reaching a fair and balanced deal with Disney to restore its widely loved networks to YouTube TV.
The platform reaffirmed its commitment to working together for the benefit of millions of subscribers who rely on these channels for entertainment, sports, and news.

YouTube emphasized that its goal is not to seek preferential treatment, but to establish a fair and transparent agreement aligned with industry standards.
It assured users that negotiations are ongoing with goodwill and transparency, aimed at restoring the popular Disney networks without delay.

Both YouTube and Disney share a common mission—to serve audiences with top-quality content.
By reopening talks, both companies have demonstrated a shared responsibility to prioritize customers who enjoy major Disney-owned networks such as ABC, ESPN, and National Geographic.

The heart of the negotiation lies in balancing carriage fees—the per-subscriber costs distributors pay to carry TV networks.
YouTube has stated that it remains open to an agreement consistent with what other distributors pay, ensuring fair pricing across the streaming industry.

Disney has also shown willingness to continue discussions with YouTube TV to finalize terms that are sustainable and customer-friendly.
Its goal is to ensure audiences don’t miss out on major events, especially during weekends filled with sports and entertainment.

This negotiation highlights the growing collaboration between major media and digital platforms in shaping the future of streaming entertainment.
As both YouTube and Disney aim for resolution, their efforts reflect a larger vision—creating long-term solutions that balance value, quality, and access.

YouTube reassured its subscribers that it is working tirelessly to bring back Disney’s channels as soon as possible.
Its team continues to engage in open discussions, committed to securing a deal that benefits not just companies, but also the millions of viewers who make streaming their preferred choice.

Both companies play a critical role in the rapidly evolving U.S. streaming landscape.
Their constructive dialogue symbolizes the healthy competition and cooperation necessary to strengthen the digital entertainment ecosystem for the future.

Industry experts and audiences alike remain confident that YouTube and Disney will find common ground soon.
The talks are moving in a positive direction, emphasizing mutual respect, market fairness, and dedication to quality content delivery.

As YouTube and Disney continue working toward an agreement, they’re setting an example of how collaboration drives innovation.
Their efforts reaffirm a shared vision—to make premium entertainment, live sports, and trusted news accessible to audiences anytime, anywhere.