Kathy Griffin Defends Jimmy Kimmel Against Trump’s Attacks, Cites First Amendment Violations

Comedian Kathy Griffin has spoken out in defense of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel after he became a target of former President Donald Trump and his administration. Griffin addressed the controversy during a recent episode of her “Talk Your Head Off” video podcast, emphasizing the importance of defending free speech.

“Man, do I wish somebody had done this for me,” Griffin said. “I’m just gonna be honest: It still hurts. It was nine years ago for me … It still hurts that nobody did stuff like this for me where they would dedicate a whole episode to just standing up for the First Amendment. Because my First Amendment rights were truly violated because I had the actual Department of Justice coming after me, not a private company, so that’s what’s happening to Jimmy right now.”

Griffin’s Own Ordeal Under Trump Administration

Griffin recalled her own experience in 2017, when she faced severe professional and political consequences after posing with a severed head resembling Trump. The photoshoot led to a Department of Justice investigation into allegations of conspiracy to assassinate the president.

“Now this is something, keep in mind, that has happened to me,” she explained. “So I know firsthand, listen to Aunt Kathy, what it’s like when the president of the United States cries like a baby from the Oval and then engages the Department of Justice, the U.S. attorneys office and the Secret Service to put me on the no-fly list, interrogate me under oath and try seriously to charge me with the crime of conspiracy to assassinate the president of the United States.”

Kimmel’s Controversial Joke and Political Backlash

Kimmel recently faced criticism from Trump after making a joke about First Lady Melania Trump, suggesting she had the glow of an “expectant widow” due to her 24-year age gap with the 79-year-old president. Trump publicly called for ABC to fire Kimmel, while FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr ordered an early review of ABC’s broadcast licenses.

Griffin noted that Kimmel’s joke was made on Thursday evening, two days before a shooter allegedly attempted to storm the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday. She dismissed claims that Kimmel’s joke may have influenced the incident.

“Now, the joke was made prior to the alleged assassination attempt,” Griffin said. “That is the most important thing to remember, so of course the MAGA people are losing their minds, and I guess they think Jimmy Kimmel manifested this or something, which is just funny that they can’t even do a timeline.”

Griffin also reviewed statements from Trump, Melania Trump, and Kimmel’s own defense during his Monday night “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” monologue, comparing the fallout she experienced in 2017 to Kimmel’s current situation.

Watch the full “Talk Your Head Off” episode below: