Megyn Kelly Slams Jimmy Kimmel’s ‘Disgusting’ Joke About Melania Trump’s Documentary at 2026 Oscars — ‘He’s Incapable of Complimenting the First Lady’

Megyn Kelly Condemns Jimmy Kimmel’s Oscars Joke Targeting Melania Trump

At the 2026 Oscars, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel sparked controversy with a biting joke aimed at Melania Trump’s self-titled documentary. The ABC star’s brief appearance to present the Best Documentary Short award quickly turned into a pointed political jab, igniting backlash from conservative commentators, most notably Megyn Kelly. The former Fox News anchor did not hold back in expressing her outrage over Kimmel’s comments, branding them “disgusting” and accusing him of being “incapable of complimenting the First Lady.”

Kimmel’s joke referenced Melania Trump’s documentary, which offered an intimate look at the 20 days leading up to former President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. In his opening remarks, Kimmel quipped, “Fortunately for all of us, there’s an international community of filmmakers dedicated to telling the truth, oftentimes at great risk to make films that teach us, that call out injustice, that inspire us to take action. And there are also documentaries where you walk around the White House trying on shoes.” This pointed dig implied that Melania’s film lacked substance and was frivolous.

Kelly Defends Melania Trump and Her Documentary’s Success

Megyn Kelly responded swiftly on her SiriusXM show the morning after the Oscars, defending Melania Trump and the documentary’s achievements. She highlighted that the film had been a commercial success, pulling in tens of millions of dollars—far exceeding the typical earnings for documentaries of its kind. Kelly criticized Kimmel for turning what should have been a straightforward award presentation into a political attack on the First Lady and the former president.

“OK, so he’s got to slam the First Lady—nice,” Kelly remarked sarcastically. “By the way, her documentary has done very, very well. It’s pulled in tens of millions of dollars, way more than any documentary of its kind.” She went on to say, “He’s incapable of even complimenting the First Lady or just staying away from her. He cannot help himself and got a big laugh from the audience. It’s disgusting.”

Kelly’s comments underscore a broader frustration among conservatives who view Hollywood’s awards shows as increasingly politicized platforms, often used to mock or undermine figures like Melania Trump.

Additional Oscars Controversies: Conan O’Brien and Political Jabs

Megyn Kelly’s criticism extended beyond Jimmy Kimmel’s remarks. She also took issue with Oscars host Conan O’Brien’s political humor, particularly his joke about Turning Point USA, the conservative youth organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk. O’Brien mocked TPUSA for hosting an alternative Super Bowl halftime show after the official event booked Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny.

“I should warn you, tonight could get political, okay? And if that makes you uncomfortable, there’s an alternate Oscars being hosted by Kid Rock. Yeah, it’s at the Dave and Buster’s down the street. A lot of tickets for that,” O’Brien quipped.

Kelly fired back, pointing out that despite lacking Hollywood’s glitz and glamour, Turning Point USA’s show was a record-setting success. She challenged O’Brien to step outside his “white privilege, woke Hollywood bubble” to recognize the accomplishments of conservative groups.

Positive Moments Amid the Political Firestorm

Despite her strong criticisms, Kelly acknowledged some lighter moments from the Oscars that she appreciated. She praised actress Nicole Kidman for her candidness during a red carpet interview, where Kidman revealed she had spent the morning attending church. Kelly found the interviewer’s reaction amusing, noting that Hollywood stars are not often so open about their faith.

“They’re not used to hearing answers like that from big Hollywood stars. So, good for Nicole Kidman,” Kelly said with a laugh.

Conclusion

Megyn Kelly’s sharp rebuke of Jimmy Kimmel’s “disgusting” joke about Melania Trump’s documentary at the 2026 Oscars highlights the ongoing tension between Hollywood’s entertainment elite and conservative figures. Kelly’s defense of the First Lady and her film underscores the cultural divide that often plays out on major award show stages. As the debate over political commentary in entertainment continues, viewers can expect these clashes to remain front and center.

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