Jimmy Kimmel Mocks Melania Trump’s Glove Handshake at State Dinner, Renews Feud with First Couple

Jimmy Kimmel briefly considered easing up on Melania and Donald Trump after a week of public tension, but ultimately reverted to his signature comedic style during his latest Jimmy Kimmel Live! monologue.

The comedian referenced the president and first lady while discussing Tuesday’s state dinner in Washington, D.C., which honored King Charles III and Queen Camilla. “So, King Charles is here to try to mend the fractured relationship between the United States and everyone really. Everyone in the world,” Kimmel said. “We are about as popular as scabies right now. Our special relationship with England is on the rocks.”

As the segment continued, Kimmel noted that the U.S.-U.K. relationship wasn’t the only one under scrutiny at the event. “Our first couple, Donald and Melania, who lately have seemed closer than ever — and I like to think I played a part in that,” he quipped.

He then directed the studio audience to examine the Trumps’ hand activity as they entered the state dinner, suggesting that “because the hands say so much.” In the footage, Melania Trump is seen wearing a glove and briefly holding Donald Trump’s hand before pulling away. The president is then shown tapping on his wife’s hand, but she does not reciprocate. As the audience laughed, Kimmel remarked:

“You know what? Considering the week I’ve had with the first couple, I’m just going to say that is a completely normal way to interact for two people who are very much in love.”

Kimmel quickly abandoned the diplomatic tone, however, adding:

“Maybe that’s why his hands are all bruised, from Melania swatting them away.”

The late-night host and the Trumps have a well-documented mutual animosity. On Monday, Melania Trump took to X (formerly Twitter) to demand ABC fire Kimmel after his recent monologue at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner spoofed her as an “expectant widow,” which was canceled days later due to a shooting incident.

“Kimmel’s hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country,” Melania Trump wrote. “His monologue about my family isn’t comedy—his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America. 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. Enough is enough. It is time for ABC to take a stand. How many times will ABC’s leadership enable Kimmel’s atrocious behavior at the expense of our community.”

President Donald Trump echoed his wife’s sentiments in a post on Truth Social, calling for Kimmel’s immediate firing by ABC and declaring the joke “something far beyond the pale.”

Kimmel has since defended his remarks, characterizing them as a “light roast” that highlighted the Trumps’ age.