Trump Administration Targets ABC Over Kimmel Joke
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have called for ABC to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over a joke made on his show. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) subsequently ordered an early renewal process for broadcast licenses held by ABC's parent company, Disney.
The Joke and Its Context
On April 27, 2025, during a segment on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" that parodied the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) dinner, Kimmel said of First Lady Melania Trump:
"You have a glow like an expectant widow."
The segment aired two days before the actual WHCA dinner on April 29. During that dinner, a man later identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, allegedly armed with guns and knives, attempted to enter the event venue. He was charged with attempted assassination of the president and firearm offenses.
Calls for Dismissal
Melania Trump posted on social media platform X:
"People like Kimmel shouldn't have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate."
She described Kimmel as a "coward" who "hides behind ABC" and called his words "corrosive" and "hateful and violent rhetoric intended to divide our country." She urged ABC to "take a stand."
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social:
"Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC."
He described Kimmel's joke as a "despicable call to violence" that went "far beyond the pale."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed the criticism, stating that Kimmel's comments contributed to a campaign of rhetoric that "has helped to legitimize this violence."
Kimmel's Response
On his Monday show following the controversy, Kimmel stated that the joke was a "very light roast" about the age difference between President Trump (born 1946) and Melania Trump (born 1970). He denied it was a call to assassination, noting he has spoken out against gun violence.
Kimmel expressed understanding that the first lady had a stressful experience during the dinner security incident and agreed that hateful and violent rhetoric should be rejected. He suggested that a conversation with her husband about such rhetoric would be a good starting point.
Regarding the security incident, Kimmel questioned whether his joke three days prior had any effect on the events, but apologized for the traumatic experience.
FCC Regulatory Action
On a date following the controversy, the FCC, led by Chair Brendan Carr (appointed by President Trump), ordered Disney to file early renewal applications for its eight ABC-owned-and-operated television stations. The licenses were not due for renewal until between 2028 and 2031.
The FCC stated the review stems from an ongoing investigation into Disney's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, not directly from the Kimmel joke. In a press conference, Carr referenced a March 2024 letter detailing allegations of "invidious form of DEI discrimination" and "racially segregated spaces" at Disney.
Legal experts and observers have questioned the timing of the order, with many characterizing it as retaliation for Kimmel's comments. Katie Fallow of Columbia University's Knight First Amendment Institute described the timing as "highly suspect." Blair Levin, a former FCC official now at New Street Research, stated that evidence suggests the move is linked to the president's call.
ABC submitted the renewal applications under protest, arguing in a letter that the FCC order constitutes "unconstitutional retaliation and coercion" targeting protected speech. The network retained attorney Paul Clement and indicated preparation for a potential legal challenge.
Reactions to FCC Action
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the sole Democrat among the three commissioners, called the actions "the most egregious action this FCC has taken in violation of the First Amendment." In a letter to Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro, she described a "sustained, coordinated campaign of censorship and control" and "weaponization of the FCC's authority."
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) criticized the FCC's efforts:
"It is not the government's job to censor speech, and I do not believe the FCC should operate as the speech police."
Disney stated it complies fully with FCC rules and is prepared to demonstrate its qualifications through legal channels.
Legal experts noted that license revocations are rare; the last notable denial occurred in 1975 for radio stations. Experts stated that Disney would likely prevail in any legal battle over its station licenses, and that any attempt to raise programming issues would face First Amendment challenges.
Additional FCC Actions
Separately, the FCC initiated an investigation into whether the ABC talk show "The View" violated equal-time rules following an appearance by a political candidate. ABC filed a petition arguing that "The View" qualifies as a bona fide news program and is exempt from such requirements. The network criticized the FCC for creating a "chilling effect" on free speech and noted that similar inquiries have not been opened into conservative talk shows.
Background of Tensions
This is not the first conflict between Kimmel and the Trump administration. In September 2024, ABC briefly suspended Kimmel's show after comments about the assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk. FCC Chair Brendan Carr had pressured ABC affiliates over the incident. Disney's president and chief creative officer, Dana Walden, stated the suspension was to "take the temperature down."
President Trump has previously criticized ABC News correspondents and suggested revoking broadcast licenses of Disney-owned ABC stations. In November 2024, ABC settled a defamation lawsuit brought by President Trump.