To the editor: It is beyond hypocritical for the Trumps to accuse a satirist, Jimmy Kimmel, of contributing to hate and “political sickness” in America (“Trump calls on ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel after Melania Trump accuses comedian of spreading hate,” April 27). Political satire is a vital ingredient for a healthy democracy. By contrast, it is President Trump who incited a mob to attack the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021; who recently threatened to wipe out a civilization; who characterizes law-abiding, hardworking immigrants as a danger to the safety of Americans; whose masked agents shot to death two unarmed citizens during protests against his policies toward immigrants; and whose political brand is based on bullying and demonizing anyone who disagrees with him or whom he does not like. And that’s just a short list of the ways in which Trump has contributed to a culture that foments hate and political violence.
Perhaps Trump is blind to the effect of his policies and behaviors. Or perhaps he’s just trying to divert attention.
Peter Niemiec, San Pedro
..
To the editor: The Kimmel debacle is much much bigger than a joke here and there against the president of the United States.
Kimmel has made it his job to mount a hate campaign against the president that just does not end. The rational mind cannot understand why anyone would obsess on one subject incessantly, and the fact that ABC tolerates this just shows the unbelievable, ridiculous and horrific divide among the American people.
Whether you like Trump or you don’t, you can acknowledge that cooler heads need to prevail. I implore ABC to end the nightly hatred aimed at the leader of the free world. It is so toxic and unprofessional, and so divisive that nothing good could ever come from it — and nothing has.
A house divided cannot stand and Kimmel divides the American people with every episode. It really must end.
Steven C. Barber, Santa Monica
..
To the editor: It’s interesting that Melania Trump thinks that Kimmel should be fired for supposedly inciting violence against her husband and members of his Cabinet. The truth is that Trump has referred to Democrats as “scum” and “garbage.” During his first term, he appeared to tell four Democratic congresswomen, all women of color, to “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came.” All but one of these women were born in the U.S.
If anyone is encouraging violence, it is he, Donald Trump, not Jimmy Kimmel.
Jon Goldstein, Eugene, Ore.