Jimmy Kimmel’s quip about Melania Trump is protected speech, and Disney must stand tall | Margaret Sullivan

Americans don’t want the government to decide what TV comics can and can’t say A few days before the alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump last weekend, one comic’s joke on his late-night show sounded routine enough, if a little edgy. Taking a jab at the hefty age gap between Donald and Melania Trump, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel – playing the role of guest comic at a mock White House correspondents’ dinner – described the first lady as having “a glow like an expectant widow”. Continue reading...

Margaret Sullivan · Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 3:00 AM
US news | The Guardian

Jimmy Kimmel’s quip about Melania Trump is protected speech, and Disney must stand tall | Margaret Sullivan

Americans don’t want the government to decide what TV comics can and can’t say

A few days before the alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump last weekend, one comic’s joke on his late-night show sounded routine enough, if a little edgy.

Taking a jab at the hefty age gap between Donald and Melania Trump, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel – playing the role of guest comic at a mock White House correspondents’ dinner – described the first lady as having “a glow like an expectant widow”.

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