Jimmy Kimmel's brutal Oscars jab at Melania Trump hasn't gone down well with Trump's administration

White House officials have responded to a controversial comment Jimmy Kimmel made about the US First Lady at this year's Academy Awards.

The TV host was handed the responsibility of handing out the Best Documentary award on Sunday (15 Mar), where he was unable to resist firing shots in Melania Trump's direction.

Taking to the stage of Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre, Kimmel joked: "Oh man, is he gonna be mad his wife wasn’t nominated for this."

Without the comedian even referencing the President, it became clear from the audience's reaction that the 58-year-old was referencing Melania's titular Amazon MGM Studios documentary, which failed to receive a single Oscar nomination.

Melania followed the 55-year-old for the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump's second inauguration, which took place last January.

"With exclusive footage capturing critical meetings, private conversations, and never-before-seen environments, Melania showcases Mrs Trump’s return to one of the world’s most powerful roles," the synopsis read.

As well as amassing overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics - who slammed its propagandistic nature - the film also bombed commercially, racking up just $16.7 million in gross profit, despite producers having a $40 million budget.

Referencing this, Kimmel joked that the majority of the movie centred on Melania walking 'around the White House trying on shoes'.

Though his comments were met with roars of laughter from audience members, Trump's communications director, Steven Cheung, wasn't best pleased.

Melania's took was released back in January (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

Responding to the remark on Tuesday (17 Mar), he brutally took aim at the funny man, who often fires out one-liners at the expense of the right-wing administration.

In a new X post, Cheung hit out: "Jimmy Kimmel (Mr. Blackface) is a classless hack who is self-projecting his depression and sadness onto others.

"He lives a pathetic existence where nobody – not even his family – enjoys his miserable company."

For reference, Cheung's former remark alludes to an apology Kimmel previously delivered for impressions of Black celebrities he performed earlier in his career, including Oprah Winfrey and Snoop Dogg.

He went on to add: "The only people giving him any attention are Hollywood Elites. BUH-BYE!"

Steven Cheung issued a fiery response (Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Cheung isn't the only Grand Old Party member to condemn Kimmel's latest joke, with conservative commentator Benny Johnson slamming it as a 'pathetic' attempt at humour.

"Trump Derangement Syndrome patient zero," Johnson added.

Sunday's remarks were far from the first Kimmel had made about Melania's documentary.

Speaking during his show earlier this month, he teased: "Between this and Sinners, it’s been a big year for vampire movies. And while some might say that it is not a great look to be plugging your vanity project while your husband’s bombing another country, Melania has never cared much about optics.

Trump and his team regularly bare the brunt of Kimmel's jokes (Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images)

"She can’t even pronounce optics."

Kimmel continued: "More than anything, this documentary is dreadfully dull. The whole thing is Melania going to fittings, riding in a car, trying on clothes, and interviewing people to work for her."