Melania Trump has criticised late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over a controversial joke about her, calling his remarks “hateful and violent” and urging his network ABC to take action.The backlash comes after Kimmel, during a monologue last week, made a remark about the first lady while previewing the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. “Our First Lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow,” he said.Days later, a shooting incident took place at the same event in Washington DC, where a gunman opened fire near a security checkpoint. Authorities believe members of the Trump administration may have been the intended targets, except Kash Patel, according to the shooter’s 1000-word manifesto. Donald Trump and Melania were evacuated safely.In a post on X, Melania Trump condemned Kimmel’s comments and questioned why he continues to be given a platform.“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 wrote.She added: “People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate.” She also criticised ABC for giving Kimmel a platform, adding: “A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him.”She added: “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 controversy has intensified following the shooting, with a resurfaced clip of Kimmel’s joke drawing backlash online. Social media users accused the comedian of contributing to a toxic political climate, with some calling for him to be taken off air.Kimmel has faced similar criticism in the past. He was briefly taken off air last September after comments related to the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, before returning a week later and acknowledging that his remarks may have been “ill-timed or unclear or maybe both”.Following Saturday’s incident, Donald Trump described the event as “a rather traumatic experience” for his wife.The suspect was identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen and has been taken into custody and is expected to appear in court. He was a teacher by proffesion.
