
Image: Collected
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has sparked online discussion after joking that US First Lady Melania Trump could be an artificial intelligence creation, using a series of playful comparisons involving her public appearances and interest in AI.
During a recent episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel highlighted Melania Trump’s involvement in artificial-intelligence initiatives, including the Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge and her previous remarks about the responsible development of AI.
Kimmel then presented clips of Melania walking alongside a humanoid robot and shaking hands with children. He humorously compared her movements and handshake with those of robots, asking whether she might somehow be “learning” from them.
The comedian also pointed to July 28, 2006, when Melania Trump became a US citizen, joking that the date coincided with the publication of a paper he described as important to the development of modern AI. The coincidence became part of his satirical theory.
Kimmel further played with Melania’s name on screen, removing letters until “AI” remained, before joking that there was more to the supposed mystery that needed to be uncovered.
The segment was presented as comedy rather than a factual claim that Melania Trump is an AI system. Melania has in fact been publicly involved in AI-related education initiatives, including the Presidential AI Challenge and discussions about the responsible use of AI in education.
Kimmel’s joke comes amid continued public attention to his relationship with the Trump family, following several clashes over jokes and commentary involving President Donald Trump and the First Lady.