'Who in Their Right Mind': Karoline Leavitt Confronted Jimmy Kimmel's Melania Joke at the White House Podium

Karoline Leavitt, in the press briefing on Monday, April 27, criticized Jimmy Kimmel for mocking Melania Trump and calling her an 'expectant widow' before the White House Correspondents' Dinner last Saturday.

Kimmel has previously directed jokes at the Trump family, including a segment targeting Melania Trump's documentary. Now, regarding his recent joke aimed at her, President Trump is calling on ABC to fire the host for his remark.

Leavitt raised Kimmel's remarks at a White House press briefing, the Irish Star reported. In her comments, the press secretary asked who would appear "glowing" at the prospect of their husband being killed.

She said, "As the First Lady of the United States pointed out this morning, just two days prior to the shooting, ABC's late-night host Jimmy Kimmel disgustingly called Melania Trump an 'expectant widow'. Who in their right mind says a wife would be glowing over the potential murder of her beloved husband?"

"This kind of rhetoric about the president, the first lady, and his supporters is completely deranged and is unbelievable that the American people are consuming it night after night after night", she added.

The first couple have called for ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel over his joke directed at the First Lady, per PBS News. The joke appeared in a segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live in which the host staged a mock performance at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. He observed Melania in the "crowd," saying, "Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow."

In a post on X, Melania Trump urged ABC to "take a stand," saying Kimmel's monologue had crossed from humor into personal attacks.

The first lady said in her X post, “Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country. His monologue about my family isn’t comedy — his words are corrosive and deepen the political sickness within America. People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate. A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him. Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand.”

President Trump also posted on Truth Social, demanding his removal, stating, "I appreciate that so many people are incensed by Kimmel's despicable call to violence, and normally would not be responsive to anything that he said but, this is something far beyond the pale. Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by ABC and its parent Walt Disney Co."

Melania and Donald Trump's reaction has put ABC and its parent company, The Walt Disney Company, under increasing pressure amid the dispute. Speculation has also emerged about whether the network will take action against the host, according to the International Business Times.

ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, has not confirmed any disciplinary action against Kimmel in response to the backlash over his comments. No suspension or termination has been reported, and the broadcaster has not shared a statement regarding the calls for action.