Netflix Cuts Melania Trump Roast Joke After Jimmy Kimmel Backlash
Melania Trump was poised to be the punchline of a savage roast that never made it to air.
During Netflix's Roast of Kevin Hart, a joke targeting the former First Lady was reportedly left on the cutting room floor, igniting speculation and controversy. The live event, part of the 2026 Netflix Is a Joke Fest, featured a star-studded lineup at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles, where Kevin Hart found himself in the crosshairs of some of comedy's biggest names, including Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Regina Hall.
While the focus was on Hart, the spotlight quickly shifted to MAGA comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who faced relentless jabs from Chelsea Handler throughout the night. Meanwhile, Melania's absence was felt as she was replaced in China by an unexpected family member, leaving many to wonder about her current status.
However, not all jokes aimed at Tony survived the ruthless editing process. A particularly biting quip about Melania and Donald Trump was cut from the final version. This came on the heels of Pete Davidson's own jabs during the event.
According to reports, the axed joke crafted by writer Madison Sinclair read: "Tony is like Melania: The only thing relevant about him is that he opened for Trump once."
Hinchcliffe gained notoriety for his performance at Trump's campaign rally in October 2024, where he unleashed a torrent of offensive remarks, including derogatory comments about Puerto Rico. His set drew ire for leaning into racial stereotypes and discriminatory humor, leading to widespread condemnation from politicians and activists alike.
In a May 2025 appearance on Bill Maher's podcast, Hinchcliffe defended his decision to perform at the rally, claiming he aimed to rally support for Trump. "I did it, literally, to hopefully get some, hopefully if only 10,000, not to mention 100,000, maybe 200 if we’re lucky, actual people to vote for him," he stated.
Chelsea Handler didn't hold back during her roast of Hinchcliffe, taking aim at his allegiance to Trump. "Now that your favorite leader is making the draft mandatory, I assume that all of you will be signing up to go fight the war in Iran. Or do you tough-talking p---ies only go to the Middle East for comedy festivals?" she quipped, referencing last year's Riyadh Comedy Festival.
The decision to cut the Melania joke follows Jimmy Kimmel's controversial remark comparing her to an "expectant widow," which drew sharp criticism from both Melania and Donald Trump, who called for Kimmel's firing.
Adding fuel to the fire, Donald Trump was recently caught on camera engaging in a shocking act towards Melania at an inappropriate moment, further complicating their public image.
