Why is Donald Trump calling for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired... again?
Americast
BBC
4.3 • 3.1K Ratings
🗓️ 29 April 2026
⏱️ 33 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The fallout continues from the shooting at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner with Donald Trump using the incident to argue the case for his new White House ballroom, and to apply pressure on Disney to take action against late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
The comedian made a joke days before the shooting incident on his show in which he said Melania Trump had “a glow like an expectant widow”. But in the aftermath of the event and calls from the president and first lady for action to be taken against Kimmel, the Federal Communications Commission has ordered an early review of Disney's television broadcast licences.
And, Donald Trump has argued that Saturday’s shooting highlights the need for his new White House ballroom to go ahead, with the US Department of Justice asking a judge to lift a pause on work to Donald Trump's new White House ballroom.
In today’s episode, Sarah, Anthony and Marianna assess the likelihood of Kimmel being taken off air, and look at the conspiracy theories which continue to swirl in the aftermath of Saturday’s shooting.
HOSTS: • Sarah Smith, North America Editor • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent
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This episode was made by George Dabby with Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Stephen Bailey. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, podcasts. |
| 0:05.6 | The fallout is continuing in the aftermath of Saturday's shooting here in Washington at the White House Correspondence Dinner. |
| 0:12.8 | It's reignited a feud between Donald Trump and the comedian Jimmy Kimmel. |
| 0:17.1 | It's over jokes that Kimmel made on his show before Saturday's shooting. |
| 0:21.3 | The Trump administration is now making threats to review Disney's broadcast licenses. |
| 0:26.6 | So why is it that Donald Trump wants Kimmel fired? |
| 0:29.4 | It was only a joke after all. |
| 0:31.0 | And how far will they go to try to punish him? |
| 0:33.4 | Welcome to AmeriCast. |
| 0:37.3 | AmeriCast from BBC News. |
| 0:40.4 | You hear that sound? |
| 0:41.5 | Oh, I think when I hear that sound, it reminds me of money. |
| 0:45.2 | We didn't start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it. |
| 0:49.5 | This is a big cover up, and this administration is engaged in it. |
| 0:52.8 | This guy has Trump Arrangement Syndrome. |
| 0:55.1 | I have four words for you. |
| 0:58.4 | Turn the volume up. |
| 1:04.1 | Hi, it is Sarah here in the BBC's Washington Bureau. |
| 1:07.6 | And it's Anthony, also in the Washington Bureau with Sarah. |
| 1:10.0 | And it is Mariana, aka Misinformation, in the worldwide headquarters of Americaast in London. |
| 1:15.9 | Brilliant to see you both this weekend. |
| 1:17.7 | Yeah, we were both over in London for Cast Fest, which was great fun, wasn't it? |
... |
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