Jimmy Kimmel faced criticism after making controversial remarks about Melania Trump, likening her to a ‘widow’ just days before the White House Correspondents’ Dinner faced its own dramatic turn of events.

During a parody of the annual journalism awards dinner held on Thursday, Kimmel referred to the former First Lady as an ‘expectant widow.’ The event, traditionally known for celebrating journalistic achievements and funding scholarships, took an unexpected comedic turn with Kimmel’s comments.

“Our First Lady, Melania, is here. Look at Melania, so beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow,” Kimmel quipped. He continued by mentioning her upcoming birthday, adding, “You know, Melania’s birthday is on Sunday. She’s planning to celebrate at home the same way she always does, looking out a window and whispering, ‘What have I done?'”

Just days after Kimmel’s parody performance, the actual Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday evening in Washington D.C. was disrupted by gunfire, an event which saw President Trump attending in person for the first time during his presidency.

Kimmel’s parody remarks sparked an online backlash, with criticism from figures such as Larry O’Connor, editor of the conservative publication Townhall, who labeled the comedian a ‘broken man.’

Kimmel’s quips during the event parody, however, received backlash online as Larry O’Connor, editor of the conservative outlet Townhall, described the comedian as a ‘broken man.’

‘@disney, you have a problem,’ he posted on X. 

Another user wrote: ‘Kimmel is actually worse than the other “comedians.” You can see the seething hatred on his face toward Trump.’

On Thursday, Jimmy Kimmel’s parody of the dinner, an annual event honoring journalism and funding scholarships, saw the comedian joking that Melania was an ‘expectant widow’

The parody skit came just days before gunfire erupted at the event on Saturday evening in Washington DC, which saw President Trump in attendance in person for the first time while in office

Melania Trump seen with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino as the president speaks after the shooting

‘It’s not even inherently funny. You have to be deranged to laugh at that,’ a third user said. 

‘He’s not broken. He’s evil.’

One user described Kimmel’s skit as ‘sick and tasteless,’ and asked: ‘Is it time for ABC to pull the plug on Jimmy’s show?’ 

Political commentator Link Lauren wrote: ‘Many in the mainstream media have stoked division and hatred for years. Jimmy Kimmel just made a disgusting “joke” about Melania Trump becoming a widow.

‘After the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and what transpired with President Trump, now they suddenly want to act shocked,’ he added. 

Guests barely had chance to tuck into their appetizers before Secret Service agents swarmed the Washington Hilton’s ballroom following a series of ‘loud noises.’

The ballroom, filled with the nation’s top journalists, Hollywood celebrities, and Cabinet members including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, became a scene of pure pandemonium.

Footage shows guests in tuxedos and evening gowns huddled under tables as Secret Service patrol the ballroom floor.

President Trump shared this dramatic image of the shirtless alleged shooter after he was taken down by law enforcement

Cole Tomas Allen, seen in this 2017 picture, is the suspected White House Correspondents Dinner Shooter at the Washington Hilton

A collection of celebrities, journalists and other Washington power players duck for cover after shots were fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton

The incident occurred at the same hotel where President Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981 – an eerie historical parallel that was not lost on those in attendance. 

As Donald Trump and the First Lady were whisked to safety, terrified attendees took cover anywhere they could as they waited anxiously for news.

The shooter, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, had breached the security checkpoint at the event before he was swiftly taken down by law enforcement. 

Trump, still wearing his tuxedo, addressed the nation just two hours later. ‘When you’re impactful, they go after you,’ he said defiantly. ‘They seem to think he was a lone wolf. We’re not going to let anybody take over our society.’

A secret service agent was shot during the incident, but is expected to recover, as the president continued on to say that the agent ‘was shot from a very close distance with a very powerful gun, and the [bulletproof] vest did the job.’

‘I just spoke to the officer and he’s doing great,’ Trump added. 

The White House has confirmed that the dinner will be rescheduled within 30 days, promising an event that is ‘bigger and better.’ 

But for now, Washington remains on high alert as it grapples with yet another attempt on the President’s life.

Trump, still in his tuxedo, addressed the nation just two hours after the incident and praised the secret service officer who was shot during the commotion, who is expected to recover

Melania Trump and Trump attend The White House Correspondents Dinner as Mentalist Oz Pearlman hosts the event before chaos and gunfire erupted

Erika Kirk sobbed ‘I just want to go home’ as she was evacuated from the White House Correspondent’s Dinner shooting

The family of the suspect who stormed the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has since revealed his past radical statements and his plans to ‘fix’ the world as his manifesto was uncovered.   

Allen, a teacher from Torrance, California, was seen attempting to bolt past a security checkpoint while armed with a shotgun, a handgun and several knives on Saturday night. 

He exchanged fire with Secret Service agents before they tackled him to the ground and arrested him. One agent was struck in his bulletproof vest and is expected to recover. No one else was harmed. 

Authorities have now discovered that Allen wrote a chilling manifesto before he arrived at the Washington Hilton Hotel, where the dinner was being hosted.

Allen’s family members told law enforcement that he had sent them some of his disturbing writings before the attack, which prompted his brother to alert police. The writings did not specifically mention the dinner on Saturday, CBS News reported. 

Allen’s brother notified the New London Police Department in Connecticut of the manifesto minutes before the attack, a White House official confirmed to CNN. 

Trump said in an interview with Fox News that he had heard about the report and wished the department had informed federal authorities earlier.  

US Secret Service and Montgomery County Police also interviewed the suspect’s sister in Rockville, Maryland, a White House official told CNN.

The Daily Mail reached out to ABC for comment.