Jimmy Kimmel took the stage at the 98th Academy Awards on 15 March to present the Oscars for Best Documentary Feature and Best Documentary Short, using the opportunity to poke fun at Donald and Melania Trump, albeit without directly naming the former president. Kimmel, well-known for his comedic style, quipped that the “president” would be upset that his wife hadn’t received an Oscar nomination for her recent documentary.
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Kimmel began his presentation with an amusing self-reference, jokingly questioning whether he was not hosting the event. The comedian waited for the spotlight to shine, ensuring that his remarks would draw attention. He seized the moment to critique Melania Trump’s recent documentary, directed by Brett Ratner, which failed to generate significant acclaim during the awards season.
In his opening, Kimmel took a jab at the subject of courage in filmmaking, stating, “We hear a lot about courage at shows like this, but telling a story that could get you killed for telling it is real courage.” His comments implied a dichotomy between real journalists and the content of some documentaries, suggesting some films focus on much less severe subject matter. He added, “Let’s just leave it at North Korea and CBS,” alluding to the oppressive regimes that stifle free speech.
Kimmel praised filmmakers who face risks to tell their stories, stating that they are dedicated to truth and justice. However, he contrasted this with Melania’s documentary, suggesting it centres around trivial matters, like “walking around the White House trying on shoes.” This provides insight into Kimmel’s perception of the First Lady’s film, which was released on 30 January and has an unimpressive 11% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
As Kimmel introduced the feature-length documentary category, he again alluded to the former president with a sly remark, saying, “Oh man, is he gonna be mad his wife wasn’t nominated for this.” This drew laughter from the audience, highlighting the ongoing tension between him and Donald Trump.
Following the premiere of Melania’s documentary, which took place at the Kennedy Center on 29 January, the former president publicly praised the film. In a speech to House Republicans shortly after, Donald Trump referred to Melania as a “movie star” and described the documentary as “hot,” asserting that it was well made.
This is not the first instance of Kimmel and Donald Trump exchanging barbs. The former president has previously celebrated the brief hiatus of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and there have been continued jabs from both sides. Most notably, after Kimmel secured his show’s placement on ABC until 2027, he challenged Trump to a talent competition, humorously illustrating the latter’s activities, which include golf and his controversial past.
The awards ceremony concluded with “Mr Nobody Against Putin” winning the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, while “All the Empty Rooms” garnered the award for Best Documentary Short. Kimmel’s antics during the event showcased not only his comedic prowess but also the ongoing cultural tensions surrounding political figures in America.
As the night wrapped up, Kimmel reminded viewers of the importance of recognizing true bravery in storytelling, while cleverly weaving in current events and political figures. The Oscars provided a platform for commentary on the state of documentary filmmaking, particularly in contrast to the superficial exploration of high-profile lives, such as that of Melania Trump.
The ceremony was broadcast live on ABC and Hulu, highlighting the glamour and complexities of the film industry, as well as the intersections between politics and entertainment in today’s society.