White House officials pushed back after TV host Jimmy Kimmel made a controversial joke about First Lady Melania Trump during the Oscars.

While presenting the Best Documentary award at the Dolby Theatre, Kimmel took a swipe at Melania, joking that someone would be upset his wife hadn’t been nominated—an apparent reference to her recently released documentary.

The film, which followed Melania in the weeks leading up to Trump’s second inauguration, received poor reviews and underperformed at the box office despite a large budget. Kimmel also mocked the documentary as dull, suggesting it mainly showed her attending fittings and trying on clothes.

Although the audience laughed, the reaction from the White House was swift.

Communications director Steven Cheung sharply criticized Kimmel, calling him “classless” and accusing him of projecting negativity. He also dismissed the comedian as irrelevant outside of elite Hollywood circles.

Conservative figures echoed the criticism, labeling the joke as weak and inappropriate.

This wasn’t the first time Kimmel had targeted Melania’s documentary. In earlier remarks, he ridiculed both the film and its timing, suggesting it reflected poorly given ongoing political tensions.

Despite the backlash, the exchange highlights the continued clash between political figures and late-night comedy, where sharp humor often sparks equally strong responses.