Jimmy Kimmel [EPA=Yonhap News Agency file photo] 

First Lady Melania Trump strongly criticized comedian Jimmy Kimmel on the 27th (local time) for his remarks that she would "soon be a widow," and urged ABC, which airs Kimmel's talk show, to take strict action.

On his show on the 23rd, Kimmel parodied the White House Correspondents' Dinner, which was to take place two days later, saying, "Our First Lady, Melania, is here. She's so beautiful," and added, "Mrs. Trump, you give off the air of someone who will soon be an expectant widow."

The remarks were re-examined and met with strong criticism after a shooting incident occurred near the actual dinner venue on the 25th, and President Trump narrowly avoided being shot again.

On her X (formerly Twitter) account that day, Melania Trump criticized, "Kimmel's hateful and violence-inciting remarks are intended to divide our country," adding, "His monologue about my family is not comedy."

She continued, "People like Kimmel should not have the opportunity to come into our homes every evening and spread hatred."

Melania Trump stated, "Enough is enough," and said, "It is time for ABC to make its position clear. How much longer will ABC executives condone Kimmel's terrible behavior by sacrificing our community?"

This was interpreted as a de facto demand for the suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", the talk show aired by ABC.

The shooting incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on the 26th in the security screening area outside the dinner venue at the Washington Hilton Hotel. The suspect, Cole Thomas Allen, 31, was armed with multiple weapons, including a shotgun, handgun, and knife, and was subdued by authorities as he rushed through the security checkpoint.

Gunshots were heard inside the venue, and security personnel rushed onto the stage, turning the scene into chaos in an instant. Key attendees, including President Trump and his wife, and Vice President JD Vance, ducked and evacuated behind the stage.

This marks the third threat of being shot for President Trump, following a shooting incident at an outdoor campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July 2024 and an assassination attempt at a golf course in Florida in September of the same year, as he narrowly avoided another assassination attempt.

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner [EPA=Yonhap News Agency file photo]