Jimmy Kimmel has once again found himself at the center of controversy following a comment about Melania Trump that went viral just days before an assassination attempt on Donald Trump. In response, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that eight television channels will undergo a rigorous license review. Throughout the ordeal, Kimmel has maintained that his remark was part of a skit on his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! Read on to learn more about the unfolding situation.
Eight TV Channels Subject to License Review After Kimmel's Comment
According to a report by Sky News, the FCC has issued a notice naming eight different television channels that will soon face a license review. These reviews were originally scheduled to begin around October 2028 but have been moved up due to what the FCC described as a "year-long discrimination investigation."
Kimmel's Comment and the White House Correspondents Dinner Incident
Recently, during the White House Correspondents Association dinner, shots were fired at attendees, including then-President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and others. Just days before the shooting, Kimmel had performed a skit on his show about the Trumps, during which he commented that the First Lady had a "glow like an expectant widow."
Melania Trump and Donald Trump React to Kimmel's Viral Comment
Following the comment, numerous officials, including both Melania and Donald Trump, called for Kimmel's removal from the airwaves. President Trump took to social media to express his outrage, 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." Melania Trump also voiced her disdain, writing that Kimmel's rhetoric was meant to divide the country. She added, "His monologue about my family isn't comedy - his words are corrosive and deepen the political sickness within America."
Kimmel's Defense: A Light Roast, Not a Call to Violence
In response to the backlash, Kimmel addressed the matter on an episode that aired on Monday. He clarified that his comment was not an attempt to incite violence but rather a witty remark about the couple's age difference. "It was a very light roast joke about the fact that he's almost 80 and she's younger than I am. It was not by any stretch of the definition a call to assassination," he stated.
Previous Controversy: Kimmel's Show Taken Off Air After Charlie Kirk Comment
This is not the first time Kimmel has faced scrutiny from the Trump administration. Last year, after he discussed the killing of political activist Charlie Kirk, his show was briefly taken off the air due to protests from many, including then-President Trump. The show was removed for a few days but was reinstated after significant backlash, with critics arguing that the move infringed on Kimmel's and everyone's freedom of speech rights. Upon his return, the talk show drew a record number of viewers.
Disclaimer: The information in this report is based on a legal hearing as reported by a third-party source. The details provided represent allegations made by the parties involved and are not proven facts. The case is ongoing, and a final verdict has not been reached. The publication does not claim that the allegations are true.
