Jimmy Kimmel blasts CBS over free speech at Oscars: ‘Just leave it at North Korea'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jimmy Kimmel while presenting awards at the 2026 Oscars, delivered a sharp critique of CBS and President Donald Trump. 

During the introduction of the ‘Best Documentary Short Film’ nominees, the late-night host criticized the network over what he suggested was a lack of support for free speech, turning the moment into a political dig. 

Jimmy Kimmel’s pointed jab at CBS over free speech 

“As you know, there are some countries whose leaders don't support free speech. I'm not at liberty to say which. Let's just leave it at North Korea and CBS,” Kimmel said.

The comment appeared to reference a series of recent controversies involving CBS. One of the most notable was the network’s decision to cancel ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,’ a move that drew scrutiny from some lawmakers who questioned whether political considerations played a role.

CBS also faced criticism last year after editor-in-chief Bari Weiss removed a ‘60 Minutes’ segment about the Trump administration’s deportation of migrants to El Salvador’s CECOT prison just hours before it was scheduled to air.

Jimmy Kimmel mocks Trump over Melania’s documentary 

As Kimmel continued introducing the category, he pivoted his speech to another light jab, this time aimed at the first lady's documentary film ‘Melania.’ The project reportedly cost $40 million to acquire and an additional $35 million to promote, but brought in only $7 million during its opening weekend.

"Fortunately for all of us, there's an international community of filmmakers dedicated to telling the truth, oftentimes at great risk, to make films that teach us, that call out injustice, that inspire us to take action, and there are also documentaries where you walk around the White House trying on shoes," he added.

Kimmel later presented the award to ‘All the Empty Rooms,’ a short documentary exploring the empty bedrooms left behind by victims of school shootings in the United States. He then returned to the stage to announce the winner for ‘Best Documentary Feature.’

Before revealing the winner, he delivered another quip without naming Trump directly, saying, "Oh, man, is he going to be mad his wife wasn't nominated for this?"