Donald Trump Should Let Jimmy Kimmel’s Career Die of Natural Causes
Summary
President Donald Trump criticized comedian Jimmy Kimmel over a joke about First Lady Melania Trump and demanded his firing. The controversy increased Kimmel’s visibility and boosted his show’s audience despite the criticism.Key Facts
- Jimmy Kimmel joked Melania Trump had “a glow like an expectant widow” on his April 23 show.
- President Trump called the joke a “despicable call to violence” and said Kimmel should be fired.
- The joke coincided with a nearby shooting attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
- Kimmel said the joke was a light roast about the Trumps’ age difference, not a call for violence.
- Late-night TV viewership is mostly flat but declining among younger adults, with social media rising as an audience platform.
- Kimmel’s show gained viewers after a separate controversy and suspension in September 2025.
- Following the controversy, Kimmel’s show saw a 29% rise in viewers in the fourth quarter of 2025, with millions more watching online.
- Disney reported Kimmel’s return episode had over 6 million broadcast viewers and 26 million views on digital platforms.
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