Trump, Melania call for Jimmy Kimmel’s dismissal over offensive joke

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have called on ABC to dismiss comedian Jimmy Kimmel following a joke aired on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

In the April 23 episode, Kimmel—portraying a White House correspondents’ dinner—joked about Melania Trump, describing her as "having a glow of expectant widow,” Caliber.Az reports, citing The Wall Street Journal.

The segment aired two days before an actual White House event that was later disrupted by an armed individual.

Following the broadcast, Donald Trump and the First Lady criticised the remark on social media, calling it offensive and demanding Kimmel’s dismissal, while accusing him of making “hateful and violent” statements.

Kimmel said he did not intend to provoke violence and explained that the joke referred to the age difference between the Trumps.

He also said the situation felt like déjà vu, referencing previous controversies involving his show.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov