Podcaster Joe Rogan weighed in on the controversy surrounding late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, defending the comedian after criticism erupted over a joke aimed at first lady Melania Trump.
In an interview with The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan claimed that Kimmel’s joke initially attracted little attention and only became controversial after the violent incident.
“It came out on Thursday. Nobody cared on Friday. Nobody cared on Saturday until Saturday night when the assassination attempt happened, and then all of a sudden everyone’s blaming Kimmel,” Rogan said.
Rogan suggested that the timing of the backlash played a significant role in fueling outrage.
A debate on the interpretation of a joke
Rogan also addressed the various interpretations of Kimmel’s remark, which referred to Melania Trump having a “widow-to-be” glow.
“It could be (an old joke) or an assassination joke, if you want to take it that way. But it’s old,” Rogan said, referring to President Donald Trump.
He emphasized that a joke can be read in multiple ways, depending on the audience’s point of view.
Controversy intensified after the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. The suspected attacker, identified as Cole Allen, reportedly left behind a manifesto naming targets associated with the Trump administration.
Melania Trump responds
Melania Trump publicly condemned Kimmel’s remarks in a statement released Monday, calling them hurtful and inappropriate.
“His monologue about my family is not comedy – his words are scathing and exacerbate the political sickness in America,” she said.
Donald Trump is calling for it to end
President Donald Trump also reacted sharply, calling on Kimmel to face professional consequences.
“Jimmy Kimmel should be fired immediately by Disney and ABC,” Trump wrote, describing the joke as a “despicable call to violence.”
Kimmel pushes back
Kimmel did not apologize and instead addressed the controversy during his show, responding with characteristic sarcasm.
“You know how you wake up one morning and the First Lady issues a statement demanding you be fired? We’ve all been there, haven’t we?”
