When Jimmy Kimmel stepped onto the stage at the 2026 Academy Awards to present the Best Documentary Feature Film award, it was almost certain he would seize the opportunity to take a jab at the Trumps.
Kimmel has consistently been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump and his administration, often exchanging witty insults with the POTUS. His late-night talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was even suspended after he faced backlash for comments made following the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
With Melania Trump releasing her documentary, Melania, in January, it was highly probable that Kimmel would target her during the award presentation for documentaries.
He certainly met the expectations of those anticipating some anti-Trump humor, as he took the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and quipped: “There are also documentaries where you walk around the White House trying on shoes.”
In reference to President Trump, he remarked: “Oh man, is he gonna be mad his wife wasn’t nominated for this.”
The Melania documentary, which was funded and produced by Amazon, currently holds a 1.5/10 rating on IMDb. It chronicles First Lady Melania’s preparations to return to the White House in 2025 following her husband’s win in the 2024 US elections.
Melania reportedly received a generous payment of $40 million from Amazon for exclusive behind-the-scenes access.
“I’m very proud of the film, so people may like it or not, and that’s their choice,” Melania shared with CNN following the film’s release. “We accomplished what we set out to do. For me, it’s already a success. I’m very proud of our work.”
Even with its substantial funding, Melania did not secure an Oscars nomination. Kimmel’s joke elicited quite a few laughs from the live audience at the Dolby Theatre, but it didn’t sit well with some members of the Trump administration.
On Tuesday, March 17, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung criticized Kimmel, calling the comedian a “classless hack.”
In a post on X, Cheung stated: “Jimmy Kimmel (Mr. Blackface) is a tasteless hack who is projecting his own depression and sadness onto others.
“He leads a pitiful life where no one – not even his family – finds joy in his miserable presence.”
Kimmel also seemed to take a direct jab at Trump and CBS during this year’s Academy Awards, remarking: “Sharing a story that could cost you your life for telling it is true bravery. As you may know, there are certain nations whose leaders do not endorse free speech. I can’t disclose which ones. Let’s just say North Korea & CBS.”
