First Lady Melania Trump has sharply criticized late-night host Jimmy Kimmel for a joke in which he called her an 'expectant widow' just days before a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner she attended with President Donald Trump.

In a post on X, Melania Trump described Kimmel's remarks as 'hateful and violent' and urged ABC to take action against his 'atrocious behavior.' 'His monologue about my family isn't comedy — his words are corrosive and deepen the political sickness within America,' she wrote.

President Trump also weighed in, posting on Truth Social that Kimmel's joke was a 'call to violence' and demanding that Disney and ABC fire him. 'This is something far beyond the pale,' he said.

Kimmel's joke aired on Thursday, parodying the dinner in advance. On Saturday, a gunman opened fire near a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton event, though the Trumps were evacuated unharmed. The suspect, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, was tackled by agents and is expected in court Monday.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also condemned Kimmel's remarks as 'completely deranged.' The joke has sparked backlash on social media, with critics accusing Kimmel of encouraging political violence. ABC has been contacted for comment.

Source: www.bbc.com