Trump accused of act of 'desperation' as he clings to Jimmy Kimmel 'distraction'

Donald Trump’s fresh attack on late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel over a joke he made about the age disparity between the 79-year-old president and his 56-year-old wife Melania did not get a sympathetic ear on “Morning Joe.”

During a roast last Thursday, Kimmel joked about the first lady, calling her an "expectant widow,” which the White House has been trying to link to the assassination attempt on Saturday –– leading to new calls to fire the comedian.

Late Monday night, Kimmel shrugged off the latest assault from Trump, telling his audience, “It was not by any stretch of the definition a call to assassination. And they know that. I’ve been very vocal for many years speaking out against gun violence, in particular.”

“But I understand that the first lady had a stressful experience over the weekend.... And probably every weekend is pretty stressful in that house,” he added.

The panel on “Morning Joe“ agreed, and co-host Jonathan Lemire claimed he thinks the Trump outrage is manufactured for another reason.

“I also will say it speaks a little bit of, I don't know, maybe desperation from the Trump camp to try to grasp something else; some sort of go back to the culture wars where he had some success,” he told guest David Drucker.

“He's had success over his career, he’s had some success last year, but right now that isn't working,” he suggested. “It seems, at least polls would suggest, it's not working because voters? That's not what they're concerned about. They're concerned about the war in Iran. And they're certainly, more than anything, concerned about the economy and rising prices. And it feels like this is one of those issues that's going to stir up that hardcore Trump base and everyone else just isn't going to care. And frankly, might say: you're distracted. Why are you talking about that? Why are you talking about your ballroom?”

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