Jimmy Kimmel jokes he 'played a part' in bringing Trump and Melania 'closer than ever'

WASHINGTON, DC: Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is now joking that his ongoing clash with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump might actually be strengthening their relationship.

The dust-up started with Kimmel’s faux White House Correspondents’ Dinner monologue last week, where he took a swipe at the first lady, saying she had the “glow” of an “expectant widow.”

By Monday, both Melania and Trump were calling for Kimmel to be shown the door. While President Trump’s feud with the comedian isn't new, Melania’s response raised eyebrows.

She labeled Kimmel a “coward” and pushed ABC to fire him over what she called his “atrocious behavior.”

Jimmy Kimmel takes credit for saving Trump's marriage

Kimmel, however, used the backlash as fresh material. During his Wednesday, April 29, monologue, he suggested the controversy had gotten the Trumps aligned.

“Our first couple, Donald and Melania,” Kimmel said, “lately have seemed closer than ever, and I like to think I played a part in that.” He leaned into the bit, placing a hand over his chest as the audience applauded.

To drive the joke home, Kimmel rolled footage from a White House state dinner featuring Trump and Melania alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The clip showed a slightly awkward exchange. Melania pulled her hand away from Trump’s, only for him to nudge her back with his pinky. After a brief pause, she held his hand again.

“Considering the week I’ve had with the first couple, I’m just going to say that is a completely normal way to interact for two people who are very much in love,” Kimmel joked. “Maybe that’s why his hands are all bruised, from Melania swatting them away.” 

The Trumps respond

Kimmel's original joke sparked quite a backlash, especially given its timing ahead of a shooting incident tied to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

“Our First Lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow," he quipped.

Melania didn’t hold back in her response on social media.

“Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country," she said. "His monologue about my family isn’t comedy — his words are corrosive and deepen the political sickness within America. People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate. Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand.”

Trump also weighed in on Truth Social.

“Jimmy Kimmel, who is in no way funny as attested to by his terrible Television Ratings, made a statement on his Show that is really shocking," he said. "I appreciate that so many people are incensed by Kimmel’s despicable call to violence… this is something far beyond the pale. Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC.”

A previous MAGA backlash last September briefly knocked Kimmel off the air, but this time his show has continued without interruption.

Jon Stewart weighs in

Meanwhile, fellow late-night host Jon Stewart suggested the controversy may have backfired on Trump rather than Kimmel.

“Donald Trump will make America great again, just not in the way that he intended,” Stewart said on his podcast 'The Weekly Show'.

He added, “The reaction to [Trump’s] fragility and impulsiveness and incompetence will spur people that you would not expect to rise above the madness.”