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Topics: Donald Trump, Jimmy Kimmel, Melania Trump, US News, Politics
Madison Burgess
Topics: Donald Trump, Jimmy Kimmel, Melania Trump, US News, Politics
Donald Trump didn't hold back in his response to Jimmy Kimmel's apology over the 'widow' joke he made about First Lady Melania.
Last week, the TV host and comedian, 58, made a gag that didn't exactly age well after the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting that unfolded at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night (25 April).
The US President, 79, and his wife, 56, were swiftly ushered out of the building by Secret Service agents when gunshots were heard.
The alleged shooter, who has since been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, is believed to have ran through a security checkpoint in the lobby of the hotel, armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives, before opening fire on a Secret Service agent, who thankfully was wearing a bulletproof vest and is expected to make a full recovery.
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A few days before the dinner, during Thursday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the chat show host delivered a parody segment of the dinner in advance, including his own alternative comedy monologue - and as mentioned, one joke hasn't gone down well.
Kimmel said that Melania Trump has the 'glow of an expectant widow,' which prompted fury from both the US President and his wife, who brutally called for him to be sacked on social media.
Following the events of the Correspondents' Dinner, Kimmel issued an apology and affirmed that it was 'not, by any stretch of the definition, a call to assassination'.
He said: "It was a very light roast joke about the fact that he’s almost 80 and she’s younger than I am.
"And they know that! I’ve been very vocal - for many years - speaking out against gun violence in particular."
Addressing Melania's X statement, he added: "But I understand that the First Lady had a stressful experience over the weekend - and probably every weekend is pretty stressful in that house.
"And also, I agree that hateful and violent rhetoric is something we should reject - I do. And I think a great place to start - to dial that back - would be to have a conversation with your husband about it because.
"Who, by the way, I also should point out - Donald Trump is allowed to say whatever he wants to say. As are you - as am I - as are all of us - because, under the First Amendment, we have as Americans a right to free speech.
"But, with that said, I am sorry that you, and the President, and everyone in that room on Saturday, went through that. I really am. Just because no one got killed doesn’t mean it wasn’t traumatic. It’s scary.
"And we should come together – and be best. We really should!
"But if you want us to believe that a joke I made three days before this dinner had any effect on anything that happened? Well then, maybe someone should look into this psychic lady, too."
However, speaking on Newsmax yesterday (30 April) Trump made it pretty clear that the apology was not accepted.
The Republican leader said: "I haven't heard him apologise, but he's a low life, whether he apologises or not. He's a lowlife. He always has been.
"He shouldn't be on television. I don't know how a guy can be on television when the network has free airwaves from the United States government and spend 100 per cent of his time knocking Republicans and conservatives and Trump."
He brutally added: "100 per cent of his time. It's not supposed to work that way. You know, equal time provisions, et cetera, it's not supposed to work that way. But he's not a funny guy. He's got no ratings.
"And I don't understand how he can be on air. I think ABC is putting themselves in great jeopardy, actually. You know they've already paid me $16 million. George Slopadopolous said things that were untrue. This is very serious what's going on there."
Tyla has contacted a representative for Jimmy Kimmel and ABC for comment.