Melania Trump accuses Jimmy Kimmel of 'hateful and violent' rhetoric

The talk show host referred to Melania Trump as an "expectant widow"

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump

US first lady Melania Trump has accused Jimmy Kimmel of “hateful and violent rhetoric” and said it was “time for ABC to take a stand” against the comedian who has long been critical of Donald Trump and his policies.

Melania Trump appeared to be referring to a monologue by Kimmel broadcast prior to the Saturday attack on the White House correspondent’s dinner, in which he referred to Melania Trump as an “expectant widow”.

Her criticism follows an episode last September where ABC suspended Kimmel after Brendan Carr, the pro-Trump chair of the Federal Communications Commission, threatened the network for jokes the comedian made about the president. 

The incident sparked an uproar amid allegations that Carr was attacking the constitutional right to free speech, and ABC late brought Kimmel back on air.

Here’s what Melania Trump said, in a post on X:

"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.

"People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate."

She called the talk show host a coward and said he "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. How many times will ABC’s leadership enable Kimmel’s atrocious behavior at the expense of our community."

Guardian