Jimmy Kimmel, who sparked controversy after joking that First Lady Melania Trump would soon be a widow — a remark later linked to a shooting connected with the White House Correspondents' Association dinner — defended the comment as protected free speech.
According to Bloomberg and other outlets, Kimmel said on the 27th (local time) on his ABC talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! that "Donald Trump can say whatever he wants. You can, I can, we all can," adding that as Americans under the First Amendment, "we have the right to free expression."
He also emphasized that his remark only referenced the age difference between President Trump and Melania.
Kimmel said he regretted what attendees at the dinner experienced, but insisted his pre-dinner joke did not influence the incident.
He added, "If you believe a joke I made before the dinner affected the incident, you'd have to look at the comments of the woman who claims to have supernatural powers," a barb directed at White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt.
He was referring to Leavitt's live Fox News appearance just before the Correspondents' Dinner, in which she said the president's speech would be "great" and joked that "there would be some shots fired in the room tonight."
Kimmel took issue with Leavitt's use of the phrase "some shots fired." In context, it can mean there will be sharp, pointed remarks, but taken literally the phrase can also suggest gunfire.
Kimmel said he agrees that rhetoric promoting hatred and violence should be rejected, but argued that the best way for Melania to curb such language is to speak directly with her husband about it.
On the 23rd, Kimmel parodied the upcoming White House Correspondents' Association dinner on his show, saying, "Mrs. Trump, you seem to be giving off the vibe that you'll soon be a widow."
The remark drew renewed attention after a shooting took place in the security area outside the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., on the 25th — the night of the dinner. Both President Trump and Melania sharply criticized Kimmel, saying his comment promoted hatred and violence.
Melania Trump posted on social media: "People like Kimmel should not be allowed to enter our home every night to spread hatred. Cowardly Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows ABC will keep protecting him." She added, "I can't tolerate this any longer. It's time for ABC to take a stand."
President Trump posted on Truth Social the same day: "I know many people are angry about Kimmel's despicable incitement to violence. Normally I wouldn't respond, but this crosses the line." He demanded that "Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by ABC and its parent company, The Walt Disney Company."
