Mentalist Oz Pearlman has canceled his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! scheduled for Monday, April 27, due to the recent shooting at the White House Correspondentsâ Dinner. According to a report by Deadline, Pearlman withdrew from the show and will be substituted by comedian Jon Lovett.
Us Weekly has requested a statement from Pearlman regarding his decision.
The 43-year-old Pearlman was present at the White House Correspondentsâ Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, April 25, when the shooting incident occurred.
During a Sunday, April 26, interview on CNNâs State of the Union, Pearlman recounted the events, saying, “I was performing right then for the president, the press secretary, and the first lady.” He described it as a significant part of his act, just before the reveal, when commotion erupted. “I see everyone swarming one table,” Pearlman recalled. “I didnât hear any shots or see what looked like a shooter. I thought there was about to be a bomb. I really, very much thought, âOh my god, itâs about to explode,â because of the way it was being approached.”
Earlier in the week, on Thursday, April 23, Jimmy Kimmel Live! featured a parody of the annual political gathering. During the segment, Kimmel joked, “Our first lady is here. Mrs. Trump⊠you have a glow like an expectant widow,” and later quipped about a potential medical emergency involving the president.
Following the airing of this segment, gunfire was reported at the White House Correspondentsâ Dinner on Saturday. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and other officials were swiftly evacuated from the Washington Hilton hotel ballroom. A Secret Service agent was injured but is expected to recover fully. No additional injuries were reported.
The alleged shooter was identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, an engineer and part-time educator from Torrance, California. Authorities reported he was carrying a shotgun, a handgun, and several knives. Allen appeared in court on Monday, April 27, facing charges including attempting to assassinate the president.
In response to the incident, Donald, 79, criticized Kimmelâs joke and demanded his immediate dismissal. “Wow, Jimmy Kimmel, who is in no way funny as attested to by his terrible Television Ratings, made a statement on his show that is really shocking,” Donald posted on his Truth Social platform on Monday. He referred to a fake video shown by Kimmel, suggesting the first lady and their son Barron were in his studio, which they werenât.
“A day later a lunatic tried entering the ballroom of the White House Correspondents Dinner, loaded up with a shotgun, handgun, and many knives. He was there for a very obvious and sinister reason. I appreciate that so many people are incensed by Kimmelâs despicable call to violence, and normally would not be responsive to anything that he said but, this is something far beyond the pale. Jimmy Kimmel should be immediately fired by Disney and ABC. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
President Donald Trump discussed his experience during the shooting at the White House Correspondentsâ Dinner on Saturday, April 25. In an interview on the Sunday, April 26, episode of 60 Minutes, he explained that he “wanted to see what was happening,” which resulted in a delay as Secret Service agents escorted him out.
Melania, 56, also responded to Kimmelâs joke with a statement on X on Monday, criticizing Kimmelâs rhetoric as divisive. “Kimmelâs hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country. His monologue about my family isnât comedy â his words are corrosive and deepens the political sickness within America. People like Kimmel shouldnât have the opportunity to enter our homes each evening to spread hate,” she stated.
The first lady added, “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 ABCâs leadership enable Kimmelâs atrocious behavior at the expense of our community?”
Donald and Kimmel have had ongoing tensions, with Kimmel frequently making jokes about Donald during his presidency. Donald has often criticized Kimmel for these jokes.
Last year, Donald supported ABCâs decision to temporarily suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! in September 2025 following Kimmelâs controversial jokes about Charlie Kirkâs death. Upon returning to the air, Kimmel has defended his choice to discuss politics on his show. “To me, it just seems obvious and unavoidable, and I just canât imagine on those nights talking about anything other than what we are talking about,â Kimmel remarked on an April episode of the âIMO With Michelle Obama and Craig Robinsonâ podcast. âI give a lot of credit to my colleagues for doing the same thing.â
Jimmy Kimmel Live! broadcasts on ABC every weeknight at 11:35 p.m. ET.
