Melania Trump slams Jimmy Kimmel's 'expectant widow' comment before dinner shooting

First lady Melania Trump has come down hard on late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, calling him a "coward" and accusing him of pushing "hateful and violent rhetoric" just days before a shooting shook the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington.

The criticism followed a controversial monologue delivered on Jimmy Kimmel’s show, in which he said: "Our first lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow." The comment, delivered just two days before a gunman attempted to breach security at the event, has intensified scrutiny over the role of such rhetoric.

In a post on X, Melania Trump said, "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 deepens the political sickness within America."

She also lashed out at the network behind the show. "A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him," she wrote, calling on ABC to take action. "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?"

The backlash centres on Jimmy Kimmel’s joke during a mock speech about the White House Correspondents’ Dinner,

This latest controversy is only the most recent chapter in Jimmy Kimmel’s long and bitter feud with Donald Trump and his family. In September 2025, ABC was forced to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely after the host’s monologue about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk drew intense backlash, including public criticism from Trump administration officials and threats of regulatory action from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. Major ABC affiliates pulled the show from the air, and it remained off for several days before eventually returning.

SHOOTING AT WHCA DINNER

A heavily armed gunman carrying a shotgun attempted to breach a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday night (local time), firing at a Secret Service agent outside the venue before being overpowered and taken into custody, officials said.

As gunshots rang out outside the ballroom, chaos erupted inside the packed hall hosting over 2,600 guests. Attendees screamed "Get down, get down!" and dived under tables, while waitstaff fled toward the exits. Agents rushed to the stage, first escorting Vice President JD Vance and then moving President Trump moments later.

The suspect arrested after gunfire disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has been identified by law enforcement as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California. He was arrested inside the Washington Hilton after attempting to target officials linked to the Trump administration.

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner was cancelled following the incident and is expected to be rescheduled.

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