Late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel launched a scathing critique against tech giant Amazon this week, targeting the company's substantial financial commitment to a new documentary film centered on former First Lady Melania Trump. The project, titled "Melania," focuses on the period surrounding President Donald Trump's second inauguration.
A Staggering Financial Investment
During his monologue, Kimmel highlighted the extraordinary scale of the investment. "Amazon shelled out $40 million to produce this movie and allocated another $35 million for promotion," he stated. "This total of $75 million likely represents one of the largest budgets ever for a documentary film." The host expressed clear skepticism about the rationale behind such a significant expenditure.
Questioning Amazon's Motives
Kimmel directly addressed Amazon's public justification for the project. He read a statement from an Amazon spokesperson claiming the sole reason for funding the film was a belief that customers would enjoy it. "But they want you to know this had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that her husband is often described as a petty and vengeful individual," Kimmel quipped sarcastically. He added a humorous embellishment, suggesting the spokesperson laughed uncontrollably after making the statement until she had to be escorted away.
Mocking Favorable Media Coverage
The comedian also turned his attention to Fox News and its notably gentle interview style with the former First Lady. He specifically referenced an exchange from the program "The Five," where host Dana Perino posed a particularly soft question.
"Can I ask a question I've been dying to ask? I've always been curious: What is your favorite time of day?" Perino inquired, according to Kimmel's recounting.
Kimmel's Satirical Take
Expressing mock astonishment, Kimmel engaged in a bit of theatrical commentary. "I've always wondered that too! What is your favorite time of day? Is it 10 o'clock? Is it 2:15?" he asked with feigned excitement. He characterized the line of questioning as "only the softest of balls for our first lady."
Not content to leave the question unanswered, Kimmel offered his own hypothetical response on Melania Trump's behalf: "Her favorite time of day is anytime Donald is taking a nap."
The full segment, filled with the host's signature blend of political satire and corporate criticism, aired during his Thursday night broadcast, providing commentary on the intersection of media, politics, and major corporate spending.
