August M
A late-night joke has sparked a political and media backlash in the United States.
Now, the First Lady has entered the dispute with strong words of her own, reports DR News.
First lady reacts
Melania Trump has criticised talk show host Jimmy Kimmel after he joked she had “the glow of a widow-to-be,” according to DR News.
The remark was made before a shooting incident disrupted a high-profile dinner in Washington, D.C., attended by political figures and journalists.
In a statement shared on social media, the First Lady described Kimmel as a “coward” and condemned his comments as “hateful and violent.”
– People like Kimmel should not be allowed to come into our homes every night to spread hate.
Call for action
Melania Trump also called on the broadcaster behind Kimmel’s show to respond.
“Enough is enough. It’s time for ABC (the TV channel that broadcasts Kimmel’s show, ed.) to take a stand. How many times will ABC’s leadership enable Kimmel’s despicable behavior at the expense of our community?” reads a statement posted on the first lady’s social media.
Her remarks follow earlier criticism from President Donald Trump, who has reportedly pushed for Kimmel to be removed from television.
Kimmel responds
Kimmel addressed the controversy during his programme, pushing back against the accusations.
“You know how you wake up sometimes and the first lady demands to be fired?, he said on air.”
He maintained that the joke was not intended as a threat and reiterated that it was made prior to the shooting incident.
Defending the joke
According to NBC News, Kimmel said the comment was aimed at the couple’s age difference rather than implying violence.
“It was a very small joke about the fact that he’s almost 80 and she’s younger than me. It wasn’t a call for an assassination at all, and they know that. I’ve been outspoken against gun violence for many years. But I understand that the first lady must have had a very stressful experience, and that it must be stressful every week in that home,” Kimmel said.
He also suggested that concerns about rhetoric should be addressed more broadly.
“You can start by having a conversation with your husband about it, the talk show host said”
Wider tensions
The dispute highlights ongoing friction between the Trump administration and media figures.
ABC and its parent company Disney have not commented on the situation.
The controversy adds to a pattern of clashes between the president and late-night hosts in recent years.
Sources: DR News, NBC News
