Jimmy Kimmel slams Melania Trump documentary as '$75 million bribe” to Jeff Bezos

Kimmel mocked Melania’s remarks on unifying country, quipping that such comments sounded as innocuous as ordering tea

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel took aim at the highly anticipated Melania documentary during his monologue on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, sharply criticizing the film and the enormous financial backing behind it.

The documentary, directed by Brett Ratner and distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, offers a behind-the-scenes look at former First Lady Melania Trump in the weeks leading up to former President Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration. Amazon reportedly paid a $40 million licensing fee for the film and is expected to spend another $35 million on marketing and distribution, figures Kimmel referenced in his critique.

During the monologue, Kimmel joked that the massive investment amounted to a “$75 million bribe,” suggesting that the financial commitment was more about political influence than entertainment. He also mocked the documentary’s promotional interviews, including Melania’s remarks on unifying the country, quipping that such comments sounded as innocuous as ordering tea during a television appearance.

Kimmel further ridiculed the film by citing anecdotal claims that audiences have shown limited interest and predicting that the documentary might underperform commercially, a sentiment echoed by others in the entertainment world.

The Melania documentary is scheduled for theatrical release, with Amazon aiming for a broad rollout across more than 1,500 theaters in the United States. The film’s critical reception remains mixed, with some commentators questioning its artistic and journalistic value given its substantial backing and highly personal subject matter.

Kimmel’s comments reflect a broader trend of late-night hosts commenting on high-profile entertainment projects that intersect with politics, particularly those involving prominent public figures.