ABC late night host Jimmy Kimmel is facing criticism for joking about President Donald Trump’s impending death just days before a would-be assassin attempted to assassinate him and senior cabinet officials. The latest shooting marked the third serious attempt on Trump’s life in under two years.
On Thursday’s installment of Jimmy Kimmel Live, the titular host held a mock White House Correspondents’ dinner ahead of the actual event, which was set to take place at the Washington Hilton Hotel on Saturday night. Saturday’s event was notable, as it marked the first time Trump had been in attendance across either of his terms in the White House.
Kimmel explained that he was stepping in because President Donald Trump had declined to have a comedian perform, describing the president as “a delicate snowflake with the thinnest fat skin of any human being ever” and “a trembling drama queen who’s scared of comedy.”
The host introduced the segment by saying, “I thought, why not take a page from the Kid Rock alternative halftime show and do some of the jokes a comedian might do if our president wasn’t a trembling drama queen who’s scared of comedy.”
He then addressed the crowd in the digitally added audience, which included many senior Trump figures and First Lady Melania Trump. “We’re gonna have fun tonight, and I’m happy you decided to stay, Mr. President. And don’t worry if we bruise your ego, it’ll only make your hands look less disgusting,” Kimmel went on.
The host went on to address his mock monologue directly to the First Lady. “And of course, our first lady, Melania, is here. Look at [her]. So beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow,” Kimmel joked, drawing laughs and applause from his studio audience.
Jimmy Kimmel: “Our First Lady is here. Mrs. Trump… you have a glow like an expectant widow!”
From his mock WHCD: pic.twitter.com/roDEttBxVN
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 26, 2026
The segment aired just two days before the actual Correspondents’ Dinner, which was cut short when a gunman stormed a security checkpoint and opened fire on Secret Service agents. The suspected shooter, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, left a manifesto explaining that he intended to kill Trump and senior cabinet officials, as well as any bystanders who got in his way.
The manifesto also made reference to several left-wing conspiracy theories and concepts popular on extremist sites like Bluesky. He also attended a “No Kings” rally, was involved with a local activist group and made a $25 donation to a PAC affiliated with Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in 2024.
The timing of Kimmel’s broadcast, occurring just days prior, drew attention in subsequent coverage of the shooting.
In September 2025, Kimmel had faced professional consequences for comments made on his show following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Without evidence, Kimmel claimed that the accused gunman held right-wing beliefs despite evidence to the contrary.
ABC moved to suspend Kimmel after multiple affiliates refused to carry the show, though the host was ultimately reinstated after issuing an apology.
