Former "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson addressed the room at the 1981 Oscars, giving an update on the status of former President Ronald Reagan, who was shot by a mentally unstable man who believed killing him would impress actress Jodie Foster. Carson distinguished himself from late-night hosts such as Jimmy Kimmel who called First Lady Melania Trump an "expectant widow" on his show. His statement reflects the increasing polarization of American politics and the normalized violent rhetoric surrounding assassination attempts. The third assassination attempt against President Donald Trump took place at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C.