President Trump called Jimmy Kimmel a "low-life" during a Newsmax interview on Thursday.
‘He’s a Lowlife’: Donald Trump Steps Up Attack on Jimmy Kimmel, Pressures ABC
President Donald Trump has stepped up his criticism on comedian Jimmy Kimmel and ABC, the network that airs his late-night show. Speaking out, Trump called on ABC to fire Kimmel after calling him 'seriously unfunny' over a joke about First Lady Melania Trump during a mock segment on his show.
Despite Trump's claims regarding Kimmel's ratings, ratings data shows Kimmel’s show remains competitive, despite criticism from some conservative commentators. On Thursday, intensifying his ongoing conflict with the late-night host, Trump labeled him a "lowlife" and said ABC is putting itself in "great jeopardy" by continuing to air his show.
In an interview with Greta Van Susteren on Newsmax, Trump rejected the idea that Kimmel's apology could mend the rift. When the host suggested Kimmel had apologized for his "expectant widow" joke about the first lady, the president unleashed criticism on Kimmel and his executives at ABC, as reported by the Irish Star.
'He's a lowlife'
Stressing that Kimmel 'shouldn't be on television', Trump said, according to Sky News, “I haven’t heard him apologize, but he’s a lowlife. Whether he apologized or not, he’s a lowlife. He always has been. He shouldn't be on television."
Donald Trump's new Truth Social post calling for Kimmel's termination.
He continued, "I don't know how a guy can be on television where the network gets free airwaves from the United States government and spends one hundred percent of his time knocking Republicans, Conservatives, and Trump. One hundred percent of his time. It's not supposed to work that way. You know, equal time provisions, etc., etc. 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."
The president concluded, "You know, they already paid me $16 million. George Slopadopolous [sic] said things that were untrue, and they had to pay me $16 million. This is very serious what's going on there."
On Thursday morning, Trump also expressed his dissatisfaction on Truth Social, once again saying that ABC should fire Kimmel, whom he described as “seriously unfunny” and leads one of the “Lowest Rated shows on Television.”
He wrote, "When is ABC Fake News Network firing seriously unfunny Jimmy Kimmel, who incompetently presides over one of the Lowest Rated shows on Television? People are angry. It better be soon!!! President DJT."
What is the whole controversy about?
The controversy erupted after Kimmel joked about First Lady Melania Trump, comparing her to an “expectant widow". His remark has drawn strong criticism from pro-Trump media figures, especially during the recent shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. T
The first lady later urged ABC to act a strong position against the comedian, leading Trump to demand Kimmel’s removal from the show.
Kimmel said that First Lady has a glow of a 'expectant widow'
The president mentioned a previous legal agreement where ABC compensated him $16 million after George Stephanopoulos made remarks that Trump claimed were false. He said, “You know, they’ve already paid me $16 million. George Slopadopoulos said things that were untrue, and they had to pay me $16 million. So this is very serious what’s going on there.”