• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, Today

Walt Disney-ABC's Jimmy Kimmel is in the middle of another battle with the Trump Administration. But this time, the fight is on -- from the start.

As for Disney's corporate reaction, the lessons from the past seem to be sticking. 

In a comic monologue Thursday night before the events that occurred during the White House Correspondents' Dinner, Kimmel was riffing about Melania Trump and her age in relation to President Trump.

Kimmel was offering a different version of the dinner yet to come -- one that would not be hosted by a comedian, where in the past, there would be some light roasting of public officials, including the President.

Kimmel was re-creating the event -- surveying the audience in front of it -- as if he would be hosting the event: “Of course, our first lady, Melania, is here. Look at her, so beautiful. Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.”

Two days later, at the Correspondents' Dinner, came the incident with the gunman, with allegations of his intent to attack the President and members of his administration.

After a statement by Melania Trump condemning Kimmel’s remark, Trump tweeted that Kimmel should be fired.

Kimmel said afterwards: “It was a very light roast joke about the fact that he’s almost 80 and she’s younger than I am. 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.”

Now, a few days after the event, don’t expect Disney to take any action such as a week-long suspension -- something they did previously with Kimmel’s clunky comic bit after the shooting of Charlie Kirk.

One might guess that under a new Disney leadership with Josh D’Amaro as CEO taking over for Bob Iger, the company is a bit more battle-tested.

Kimmel has continued, with his political comedy.

To be sure, at colleges and universities everywhere, comedians increasingly find it challenging with sensitivity high when it comes to the slightest hint of content taking an any iffy association or interpretation.

This comedy now comes via both sides of the political spectrum -- for example, at the expense of left-learning politicians from Fox News Channel’s “Gutfeld!” and “The Five.” It's worthwhile to note that in their program descriptions, many internet sites describe shows like “Gutfeld!” as "political satire."

Timing in comedy is everything. Sometimes it is off, and sometimes there is a "too soon?" reaction.

It's hard to say what other responsibilities comedians need to consider with regard to unforeseen positive or negative occurrences in the future.

So now, in case we are left wondering whether political satire is still legal in the U.S -- let me check....

In the meantime, keep the comedy coming -- from all sides.