The United States' First Lady Melania Trump has sharply criticized comedian Jimmy Kimmel, calling his recent remarks “hateful and violent rhetoric” in a rare public statement following the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Axar.az reports, citing CBS, that Melania Trump wrote on X that: “Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country. His monologue about my family isn’t comedy—his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America."

She also said, “People like Kimmel shouldn’t have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate. A coward, Kimmel hides behind ABC because he knows the network will keep running cover to protect him,” urging ABC to take action against the late-night host.

President Donald Trump echoed the criticism and called for Kimmel to be dismissed, writing on Truth Social: “Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC.”

The comments come after the shooting incident at the Washington Hilton during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where both Trumps were evacuated and the suspect, Cole Allen, was later arrested.

Kimmel had recently performed a satirical segment referencing the dinner and members of the Trump family, which has drawn renewed scrutiny in the aftermath of the attack.