Former Obama aide David Axelrod says Jimmy Kimmel should apologize for Trump joke

Former President Barack Obama’s top Democratic strategist is asking Jimmy Kimmel to apologize for a crude joke about President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump made days before Saturday’s assassination attempt.

Former Obama White House adviser and CNN political commentator David Axelrod waded into the debate after Trump on Monday both called for Kimmel’s firing.

“I love @jimmykimmel. He’s funny and brave at a time when there’s been a lot of cowardice. That being said, this was a tasteless joke,” Axelrod wrote on X.

“The WH will use any issue to demand that he be fired because his cynicism is heartbreaking, and ABC has the right to resist it. But he will be right to apologize,” said Axelrod.

MELANIA TRUMP WANTS ABC TO FIRE JIMMY KIMMEL FOR ‘HATE AND VIOLENCE’

Disney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.

Kimmel was quick to respond to the attack outside the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, where the Trumps and nearly the entire Cabinet were in attendance.

On Thursday, Kimmel presented his own version of the WHCA Dinner where he hosted the annual celebration, and bashed the president and first lady.

“Our first lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, she’s so beautiful. Mrs. Trump, she has the glow of a widow in waiting,” Kimmel said, drawing laughter from the liberal audience.

KIMMEL CALLS MELANIA TRUMP A ‘WIDOW IN WAITING’ AHEAD OF ‘WHITE PEOPLE’S DINNER’

ABC’s late night host Jimmy Kimmel also caused a public relations headache for Disney. (Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty Images)

The first lady made waves Monday, asking ABC to “pause” and saying Kimmel shouldn’t be able to “walk into our homes every night to spread hate.”

“Kimmel’s hateful and violent speech is meant to divide our country. His monologue about my family is not funny – his words hurt and deepen the political sickness in America,” he wrote in X.

“People like Kimmel should not have the opportunity to enter our homes every evening to spread hate. Coward, Kimmel is hiding behind ABC because he knows the network will continue to work to protect him. Enough,” said the first lady. “It’s time for ABC to stand up. How many times has ABC leadership allowed Kimmel to commit atrocities that harm our community.”

TRUMP WHITE HOUSE LOADS ON KIMMEL, CALLS HIM ‘FIRE’ AND SHOULD BE FIRED

First lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump both called on ABC to fire Kimmel. (Mandel Ngan/AFP)

The president later followed suit, saying in part Monday on Truth Social, “I appreciate that a lot of people are offended by Kimmel’s despicable call to violence, and normally wouldn’t respond to anything he says but, this is beyond the pale. Jimmy Kimmel should be fired immediately by Disney and ABC.”

Last year, Kimmel was temporarily suspended by Disney, after controversial statements about the murder of Charlie Kirk sparked outrage and a veiled threat was issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). He returned to the air days later and insisted that he never intended to facilitate Kirk’s death.

In December, ABC extended his contract until at least May 2027.

Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California, the 31-year-old accused of targeting Trump and senior Cabinet officials on Saturday, is facing three charges, including attempting to kill the president of the United States, transporting a firearm across state lines, and firing a firearm during a crime of violence. Senior DOJ officials said Monday that more charges are expected, and that he faces up to life in prison.

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