Fact Check: Did Jimmy Kimmel call Melania Trump ‘expectant widow’ after White House dinner shooting?
WASHINGTON, DC: Following the shooting at the White House Correspondence Dinner on Saturday, a rumor began circulating on social media platforms claiming that late-night host Jimmy Kimmel called First Lady Melania Trump an ‘expectant widow,’ sparking criticism and speculation. The claim quickly gained traction online, fueled by a viral video and strong reactions. Here’s a closer look at the claim and the facts behind it.
Claim: Jimmy Kimmel called Melania Trump ‘expectant widow’ after WHCD shooting
Following the shooting incident that sent shockwaves across the country, a video began going viral claiming to show Kimmel addressing the crowd at the annual dinner and making a remark about the First Lady. In the clip, he is heard saying, “Our First Lady is here. Mrs Trump… you have a glow like an expectant widow.”
The video triggered backlash on social media, with many users arguing that the remark attributed to Kimmel crossed the line from comedy into harmful rhetoric.
Several commenters framed the statement as dangerous, especially in a politically tense climate, and called for immediate action, including demands that ABC remove him from the air.
Some went further by linking such language to real-world violence, suggesting that public figures’ words can influence extremist behavior.
Fact Check: Jimmy Kimmel clip aired before White House dinner shooting, not after
The viral clip is not from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. It is from an episode of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' that aired on April 23, 2026, two days before the shooting incident.
The segment was part of a parody in which Kimmel mocked the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and made the remark about Melania Trump in a comedic context.
However, the timing of the clip being reshared after the shooting sparked confusion and outrage online. This is not the first time Kimmel has faced backlash over his jokes. Last year, he was also criticized for a comment about Charlie Kirk’s murder.
Donald Trump says Melania was visibly shaken after shooting
On Sunday, April 26, President Donald Trump appeared in an interview with CBS News’ Norah O'Donnell and spoke about how Melania Trump reacted to the gunfire at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, noting how the incident left her worried.
Trump explained that while people often hide their fear, the intensity of the moment was clear. “I don't want to say, and people don't like having it said that they were scared, but certainly, I mean, who wouldn't be when you have a situation like that?” he said.
He added that she appeared to quickly grasp the seriousness of the situation. “By that time, I think she realized, ahead of time, that was more of a bullet than it was a tray,” he said.
After watching a close-up video of the event, Trump described her visible distress. “I looked at her face just a little while ago before I came. I saw the scene. They played it for me, and, you know, pretty good close up,” he said.
