President Donald Trump has renewed his criticism of Jimmy Kimmel, calling on ABC to remove the late-night host following a controversial joke about First Lady Melania Trump.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Kimmel as “seriously unfunny” and insisted the network should act quickly, saying it “better be soon.” Despite the pressure, ABC’s parent company, The Walt Disney Company, has shown no indication that it plans to take action against the comedian.
The dispute intensified after Kimmel made a remark about Melania Trump that drew backlash from pro-Trump commentators and media figures. The criticism grew louder following a recent security incident near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, with some calling the joke inappropriate given the timing.
Melania Trump publicly urged ABC to respond, while the president escalated the issue by demanding Kimmel’s removal. Soon after, the Federal Communications Commission initiated an early license review process for several ABC stations—a move widely interpreted by analysts as political pressure.
Disney has maintained its stance, stating that its stations are operating within federal guidelines and that it will defend its position through legal channels if necessary. Industry experts believe the company is unlikely to face significant regulatory consequences.
Meanwhile, Kimmel has continued his usual satirical commentary on his show, making light of the situation without directly addressing the regulatory developments.
Free speech advocates have raised concerns over the administration’s actions. Critics argue that government pressure on media organizations over content could raise serious First Amendment issues, even as public debate over the boundaries of political humor continues.
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