Late-night television just served up another helping of political comedy, and this time Melania Trump’s new documentary found itself squarely in the crosshairs.
During his opening monologue on Wednesday’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the comedian didn’t hold back his thoughts on the first lady’s Amazon-produced film.
His jokes ranged from box office predictions to crew member exodus, painting a less-than-flattering picture of the project hitting theaters this weekend.
And honestly? The numbers he cited suggest this documentary might be facing an uphill battle.
The $28 Million Question
Kimmel opened his commentary by informing viewers that Melania’s documentary would debut in theaters shortly. He then referenced a Wall Street Journal report claiming the first lady received $28 million for the film.
You know, between this and her marriage, she’s probably the highest paid actress in the world.
The comedian didn’t stop there. He pointed out the film’s projected box office earnings of $1 to $5 million would fall significantly short of even the horror movie Send Help.
Which incidentally would have been a much better title for the documentary.
Music Legends and Documentary Comparisons
Things got particularly interesting when Kimmel showed footage of Melania promoting her film at the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday.
In the clip, she attempted to draw parallels between her documentary and legendary music acts.
Visual storytelling and beautiful music create memories for a lifetime. What do you remember when you hear Rolling Stones? Michael Jackson?
Kimmel seized on this comparison with visible incredulity.
Are you really trying to tell us that this dumb vanity project/corporate bribe is a work of art we’re going to remember like the music of Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson?
He then delivered a punchline leveraging Michael Jackson’s hit song: “I mean, the only thing that reminds me of Michael Jackson is, when it’s bad, it’s bad, you know it, and it’s bad.”
When Your Own Crew Wants Out
Perhaps the most damaging detail Kimmel shared came from Rolling Stone magazine.
According to their reporting, two-thirds of Melania’s New York production crew requested to have their names removed from the film’s credits.
Kimmel highlighted just how unusual this situation is in the entertainment industry.
Do you have any idea how bad a movie has to be for a crew member to not want a credit? Like, remember that weird Cats movie from like five or six years ago? Everyone got their credits on that one. Everyone.
For context, film credits represent professional validation and career advancement opportunities. Crews typically want their work documented, even on troubled productions.
When experienced professionals actively distance themselves from a project, it often signals serious concerns about quality or ethical issues.
The Matt Damon Callback
True to his comedic style, Kimmel couldn’t resist weaving in his long-running fake feud with Matt Damon.
People keep their credits on Matt Damon movies, and they don’t want it on this.
This callback to his ongoing gag demonstrated how the Melania documentary situation provided material that transcended typical political comedy.
Beyond the Documentary
Kimmel’s monologue didn’t focus exclusively on the first lady’s film.
He also addressed President Trump’s recent comments about Rep. Ilhan Omar, who was attacked at a Minneapolis town hall event when someone sprayed her with apple cider vinegar.
When asked about the incident, Trump suggested Omar orchestrated the attack herself.
I don’t think about her. I think she’s a fraud. I really don’t think about that. She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.
Kimmel immediately saw an opportunity.
Not only is that just a ridiculous thing to say, it also sets him up for maybe the easiest joke of all time. She had herself sprayed ― who’s doing this to you?
He then displayed a photo of the President’s notably orange-toned complexion, drawing laughter from his studio audience.
What This Means for Political Comedy
Late-night hosts have long served as cultural commentators, using humor to process political events and public figures.
Kimmel’s monologue exemplified this tradition, weaving together multiple storylines:
- Documentary criticism: Questioning both artistic merit and financial arrangements
- Industry standards: Highlighting the crew credit situation as genuinely unusual
- Political commentary: Addressing Trump’s remarks about Representative Omar
- Entertainment value: Maintaining comedic momentum throughout
Whether viewers agree with Kimmel’s perspective or not, his monologue generated conversation about Melania’s documentary in ways traditional marketing likely couldn’t.
The proof will ultimately come this weekend when box office numbers reveal whether audiences share Kimmel’s skepticism or decide to judge the documentary for themselves.
Until then, the late-night comedy circuit has another chapter in the ongoing saga of politics meets entertainment.