Spanish Actor Javier Bardem Faces Backlash After 'Free Palestine' Call at Oscars

Spanish actor Javier Bardem sparked controversy at the 2026 Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles when he publicly called to "Free Palestine" and protested against war. While his remarks received applause from the live audience, they drew criticism from some viewers at home. Months after the event, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States received multiple complaints about Bardem's political statements during the broadcast. One complainant sharply criticized the program for its political content, describing the language as "disgusting" and "sick," and expressing frustration that the show was filled with "nonsense and hate."

This was not Bardem's first politically charged appearance; in March, he wore two pins on the Oscars red carpet, one reading "No to War" in Spanish and another featuring a caricature symbolizing Palestinian resistance. Bardem explained that he reused a pin from 2003, originally worn during protests against the Iraq War, which he called an illegal war. He linked the current conflict to actions by former U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, condemning their roles and the ongoing violence.

The Oscars have previously drawn FCC complaints, notably after the 2022 incident where actor Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage, leading to dozens of viewer grievances about the broadcast's violent content. Bardem's outspoken stance continues to fuel debate about political expression during major entertainment events.