Jimmy Kimmel isn’t going anywhere despite backlash over ‘widow’ joke about Melania Trump.
An ABC source exclusively told Page Six that the network is “fixated” on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” “We have no intention of suspending him, firing him or canceling his show.”
A source confirmed, “We’re back to normal filming. They’re moving on.”
The 58-year-old made the joke online on Thursday’s “Alternative” White House Correspondents’ Dinner, poking fun at the annual event in which comedians are replaced by mentalists.
“You have the glow of a pregnant widow,” Kimmel said. “As you know, Melania’s birthday is Sunday, and she’ll be celebrating at home as usual, looking out the window and whispering, ‘What have I done?'”
Two days later, a gunman opened fire at the Washington Hilton, where a dinner party was being held.
The 56-year-old first lady slammed Kimmel via X, tweeting, “Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is aimed at dividing our country. His monologue about my family is not comedy. His words are corrosive and deepen the political ills in America.”
She continued, “Enough is enough. It’s time for ABC to take a stand. People like Kimmel should not be given the opportunity to enter our homes every night to spread hate.”
President Donald Trump called Kimmel’s jokes “shocking” and “far beyond common sense” and agreed that Kimmel should be fired “immediately.”
Kimmel addressed the backlash in his monologue Monday night, claiming he was just making an “obvious” joke about the age difference between Donald, 79, and Melania.
“It was never a call to assassination,” he said. “I agree that hatred and violence are something we should reject. … The best way to resolve that issue is to discuss it with your husband.”
He went on to address first lady Melania Trump directly, acknowledging how “traumatic and terrifying” the shooting must have been.
Earlier in the day, George Clooney showed his support for Kimmel at the 51st Chaplin Awards ceremony, saying, “A joke is a joke.”
Kimmel in particular made headlines last year when his show was canceled due to his comments about Charlie Kirk’s death, which was a shocking suspension.
He returned within a week, reaching record numbers, and subsequently signed a one-year contract until May 2027.
Reflecting on the scandal on a recent episode of “IMO,” Kimmel insisted that discussing politics on his show is “inevitable.”
“Don’t tell me what my job is. I’m not going to tell you what your job is. My job is whatever I decide to do and whatever my employer allows me to do. That’s my job.”
