Jimmy Kimmel jokes about Melania Trump documentary during 2026 Oscars

During the 2026 Oscars, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel used his moment on stage to poke fun at former U.S. President Donald Trump and the documentary about Melania Trump. While announcing the winner of Best Documentary Feature, Kimmel quipped about the film’s reception, joking that Trump might be upset his wife was not nominated. The documentary, released in January, exceeded box office expectations, grossing $7 million on its opening weekend despite early ticket sales struggles. Kimmel previously remarked on the apparent discrepancy between the reported earnings and empty theatres prior to release. Earlier in the ceremony, he alluded to global censorship and avoided directly naming Trump, referencing countries and networks like North Korea and CBS, the latter having cancelled Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show in 2025 due to financial reasons. Kimmel has maintained a long-running rivalry with Trump, who has publicly criticised him multiple times, calling him the ‘worst host’ in Oscars history. The 2026 Oscars also saw One Battle After Another winning Best Picture and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, with actors Jessie Buckley and Michael B. Jordan taking Best Actress and Best Actor respectively. The event was marked by playful jabs at political figures and notable cinematic achievements.