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Liberal comedian Chelsea Handler stirred controversy at the Critics Choice Awards on Friday, where she took aim at First Lady Melania Trump, insinuating she was a s-x worker.
Handler, who hosted the awards show for the third consecutive year, also targeted actress Cheryl Hines and the ongoing national debate over Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies.
During her opening monologue, Handler quipped, “It was a huge year for biopics … ‘Anora,’ about Melania Trump.” The comment immediately sparked reactions, with many interpreting it as an insult toward the first lady.
According to IMDB, Anora is a 2024 film about a young sex worker from Brooklyn who “meets and impulsively marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened.” Handler’s remark appeared to draw a direct comparison between the film’s storyline and Melania Trump’s past, a jab that did not go unnoticed.
In addition to mocking Melania Trump, Handler also took a swipe at Cheryl Hines, the wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Referencing the awards night’s losing nominees, Handler joked, “You will just be in the background, questioning your life choices, like Cheryl Hines at a Senate confirmation hearing.” The comment was widely interpreted as a dig at Hines, who has faced public scrutiny over her husband’s political positions.
Handler also took time to mock DEI initiatives, a subject that has been at the forefront of national debate since President Trump’s return to office. “I am your DEI host, Chelsea Handler,” she sarcastically declared.
“I wanna acknowledge that we’ve been through a lot lately ... our entire country, waking up every day, not knowing what news we’re gonna hear that will disappoint and horrify us.”
The remark was seen as a jab at DEI programs, which Trump has aggressively moved to dismantle since resuming the presidency. Just three weeks into his new term, he has made eliminating DEI a major policy goal, framing it as part of a broader effort to uphold “colorblind equality.”
On January 22, Trump signed an executive order titled “Protecting Civil Rights and Expanding Opportunity,” which explicitly bans DEI-based preferences in federal contracting. The order also directs federal agencies to take action against what Trump calls “private sector discrimination,” positioning his administration as an opponent of race-based hiring and promotion policies.
The backlash against DEI policies has intensified under Trump’s leadership, with Republican lawmakers and conservative groups arguing that such programs promote discrimination rather than equality.
On the other hand, progressive leaders and civil rights organizations maintain that DEI is essential for addressing historical inequities in employment, education, and government contracting.
This week, the city of Baltimore and its Democratic mayor, Brandon Scott, joined a coalition of progressive organizations in filing a lawsuit challenging Trump’s executive order on DEI. The legal action argues that dismantling DEI initiatives violates civil rights protections and disproportionately harms marginalized communities.
Handler’s comments at the Critics Choice Awards reflect the broader political and cultural divide in the country, as entertainers and media figures continue to clash with the Trump administration over key policies.
While her remarks were met with laughter from some, they also drew sharp criticism from Trump supporters, who accused Handler of being disrespectful and divisive.
Handler, who has long been a vocal critic of Trump and his policies, has a history of making controversial remarks about the former president and his family. Throughout Trump’s first term, she frequently mocked his administration on social media and in television appearances.
Her comments about Melania Trump, however, have drawn some of the most intense backlash, with critics accusing her of engaging in personal attacks rather than political satire.
Despite the controversy, Handler did not back down from her statements. In a post-show interview, she doubled down on her stance, arguing that humor should be used to challenge those in power.
“Comedy has always been about speaking truth to power,” she said. “And if that makes some people uncomfortable, well, maybe they should take a look at why.”
As Trump continues to push forward with his policy agenda and celebrities like Handler continue to use their platforms to criticize him, the battle between Hollywood and the White House is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
Whether Handler’s remarks will lead to further backlash or simply fuel ongoing political debates remains to be seen.
