Four-time Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel returned to the Dolby Theatre Sunday night to present the awards for Documentary Short and Documentary Feature.
And if you thought he wouldn’t take the opportunity to dunk on his longtime foil, you’d be wrong.
In his introduction, Kimmel said: “We hear a lot about courage at shows like this, but telling a story that could get you killed for telling it—that’s real courage. As you know, there are some countries whose leaders don’t support free speech.”
He then added, “I’m not at liberty to say which. Let’s just leave it at North Korea and CBS,” drawing a loud round of applause.
Jimmy Kimmel presenting at the Oscars: "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." pic.twitter.com/6k92W4bN5W
— LateNighter (@latenightercom) March 16, 2026
Just before naming the winner for Documentary Feature, Kimmel couldn’t resist a direct dig at Donald Trump—whose wife, Melania, was the subject of her own documentary this year.
“Oh man, is he going to be mad his wife wasn’t nominated for this,” Kimmel joked, before announcing that Mr. Nobody Against Putin had won.
Jimmy Kimmel presenting Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars: "Oh man, is he going to be mad his wife wasn't nominated for this." pic.twitter.com/tWM48GiuQ2
— LateNighter (@latenightercom) March 16, 2026
It was a little over two years ago that Kimmel as Academy Awards host cemented his role as Trump’s chief antagonist by reading aloud, mid-show, the then-presidential candidate’s real-time Truth Social review of his performance.
“Has there ever been a worse host than Jimmy Kimmel at the Oscars?” the post read. “His opening was that of a less-than-average person trying to be something which he is not and never can be. Get rid of him and perhaps replace him with another washed-up, cheap ABC talent.”
In response, Kimmel said to camera: “Thank you, President Trump. Thank you for watching. I’m surprised you’re still up…. Isn’t it past your jail time?”
Trump was clearly seared by the biggest laugh-line of that night; for many weeks, he continued to label Kimmel “WORST HOST EVER OF THE ONCE VAUNTED ACADEMY AWARDS!” As recently as December, he similarly derided Kimmel as a “horrible” host of the Kennedy Center Honors—an event Kimmel actually has never emceed.
