White House Official Condemns Jimmy Kimmel Over Melania Trump Joke; ABC Has No Plans to Fire Host

The Trump administration fired back at Jimmy Kimmel on Tuesday following his monologue defending a controversial joke about the First Lady.

Kimmel's remark, delivered ahead of the White House Correspondents' Dinner, drew swift criticism from the White House. The joke in question: "Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow."

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung took to X on Tuesday, April 28, to voice his disapproval. "Jimmy Kimmel is a sh-t human being for: #1. Making a disgusting joke about assassinating the President #2. Doubling down on that joke instead of doing the decent thing by apologizing," Cheung wrote on his official account. "ABC needs to fire him immediately and he should be shunned for the rest of his life."

The Trumps had previously called for Kimmel's termination over the remark, but it appears the network has other plans. According to sources speaking with Page Six, ABC is standing by its host and has no intention of disciplinary action.

"They don't plan to suspend him, fire him or cancel the show," one insider revealed. "It's back to taping per usual. They're moving on."

Jimmy Kimmel Live! continues as scheduled with no changes to the show's status.