Jimmy Kimmel targets Trump and CBS over free speech in Oscars commentary

While Donald Trump and his FCC chairman have once again warned they might revoke network broadcast licenses for content they disagree with, Jimmy Kimmel, one of their previous targets, took the Oscars stage to share a few jabs.

Kimmel, presenting awards for documentary short and documentary feature categories, reminded everyone, “We often hear about bravery at events like this, but sharing a narrative that could endanger your life is real bravery. As you know, there are countries where leaders don't favor free speech. I won't name names. Let's just say North Korea and CBS.”

His comment on CBS referred to Skydance's adjustments to win approval from the FCC for its merger with Paramount. 

Among other things, Skydance agreed to appoint an ombudsman to address CBS News complaints. Just before the FCC green-lighted the merger, CBS's previous owners cancelled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. 

Although they stated it was due to financial reasons, Kimmel openly criticised the network's decision.

On Saturday, Carr once more threatened to revoke broadcast licenses, following Trump’s complaints about media coverage of the Iran conflict. In a Truth Social post during the event, the president commended Carr for the warning.

A short while after, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr cautioned ABC stations regarding their licenses following one of Kimmel's jokes about the MAGA crowd's response to Charlie Kirk's killing. 

Just hours later, ABC took Kimmel's show off the air, but after negative feedback, it was reinstated a few days later.

At the Oscars, Kimmel also jested about Melania, the Amazon MGM documentary on the first lady Melania Trump. 

The documentary was widely criticised. While announcing the documentary feature nominees, Kimmel joked, “Oh man, he's going to be upset his wife wasn't nominated for this.”

Kimmel is not new to the Oscar stage. In a memorable moment from 2024, he read Trump's live social media critiques during the ceremony, humorously adding, “Thank you for watching, I'm amazed you’re still up – isn't it past your jail time?”

The documentary feature award went to Mr. Nobody Against Putin, a film about a teacher challenging Russian propaganda amid the Ukraine invasion. 

Co-director David Borenstein pointedly mentioned that the film shed light on how nations are lost, and “what we witnessed during our work is that this loss happens through numerous small acts of compliance. When we go silent as governments commit atrocities in our streets, or when oligarchs take over media control, we all confront a moral decision.”

Ironically, the documentary short award winner, All the Empty Rooms, was created by CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp, and focuses on families of school shooting victims who preserve their children's bedrooms.