Jimmy Kimmel jokes Trump will be ‘mad’ Melania wasn’t nominated for best documentary at Oscars 2026
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jimmy Kimmel mocked the First Lady Melania Trump after referencing a recent documentary detailing her life at the White House. Kimmel compared it to other films addressing serious global issues at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15.
Before announcing the winner of the 2026 Oscars for Best Documentary Feature, the late-night host joked that President Donald Trump would be upset that Melania was not nominated, saying, "Oh man, is he going to be mad that his wife wasn’t nominated for this.”
Jimmy Kimmel takes swipe at Donald Trump at the #Oscars: “Oh man, is he going to be mad that his wife wasn’t nominated for this” pic.twitter.com/h3WUfWAFy7
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) March 16, 2026
Jimmy Kimmel mocks 'Melania' documentary
While presenting the award for Best Documentary Short Film, Kimmel noted that many filmmakers take "great personal risk because of what they expose in terms of what they're teaching or calling out injustice."
He then quickly shifted to poke fun at the First Lady’s project, saying, "There are also documentaries where you walk around the White House trying on shoes," referring to the film Melania.
Jimmy Kimmel brushes off 'Melania' as 'vanity project'
The documentary, directed by Brett Ratner, has been a frequent target on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'
Kimmel has often called it a "vanity project" and joked about the movie's $75 million budget.
Critics have noted that the film focuses mainly on image, with scenes showing the first lady at fashion fittings or behind-the-scenes moments at the White House, rather than providing deep political insight.
Kimmel has repeatedly laughed at specific clips from the film, especially one showing Melania’s reaction on the night the 2024 election results were certified.
In the scene, she appears disengaged during a phone call with her husband on the night Congress certified the election results, telling him she did not watch the coverage and would "see it on the news."
The comedian called the exchange "one of the funniest conversations I’ve ever heard," adding a final jab by saying it "almost makes me feel a little bad for him."
