A joke about Melania Trump was cut from Kevin Hart's Netflix roast special, according to one of the comedy writers behind the event. The special, hosted by Shane Gillis on Sunday, featured comedians including Pete Davidson, Chelsea Handler, and Tony Hinchcliffe.
The joke targeted Hinchcliffe, who previously compared Puerto Rico to 'garbage' at a Trump rally. It read: 'Tony is like Melania: The only thing relevant about him is that he opened for Trump once.' The reason for its removal is unclear.
The cut comes amid tensions between the Trump family and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Melania Trump called for ABC to fire Kimmel after a joke he made about her being an 'expectant widow' at a White House Correspondents' Dinner parody. President Trump echoed the call, describing Kimmel as 'in no way funny.'
Kimmel's show was briefly taken off air in September last year following remarks about the killing of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk. The suspension was lifted after condemnation from figures including former President Barack Obama.
Other jokes cut from the roast included ones about Lizzo's weight, #MeToo, and Hart's participation in a Saudi government-funded comedy festival. Hart appeared to take the aired jokes in stride.
