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Conan O’Brien wasn’t afraid of referencing politics at the 2025 Oscars. The comedian had never before hosted the Academy Awards. He is largely known as a talk show host, having led Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, and Conan. His appearance as the host of the Oscars has largely drawn praise, as O’Brien filled space with a song about not wasting time, a few jokes about first-time winners, and charming tributes to beloved actors and franchises. After announcing many of the 2025 Oscars winners, however, O’Brien took the opportunity to make a political joke.
After a commercial break, O’Brien began speaking about Anora‘s record-setting night. In doing so, he decided to make a quick joke about the movie’s subject matter and Donald Trump. Because O’Brien revolves around a sex worker employed by a Russian oligarch’s son, O’Brien decided to slam Trump with a pointed joke. The comedian chirped that “Americans are excited to see somebody finally stand up to a powerful Russian.” His comment drew uproarious laughter from the crowd. Check out the footage below, via ABC News:
What Conan O’Brien’s Joke Means For The Oscars
Hollywood Isn’t Afraid To Get Political
Much of the Oscars this year was devoted to fairly political topics. After their win, No Other Land‘s co-directors publicly criticized America’s foreign policy strategy regarding the war in Gaza. Daryl Hannah (Blade Runner) expressed her support for Ukraine before announcing the Achievement in Film Editing award. There was also an entire segment devoted to the Los Angeles wildfires, after President Trump claimed that he could withhold disaster relief to California. O’Brien’s jab was just another that proved that it is impossible to fully separate art from politics.
Anora won five awards at the 2025 Oscars, including Best Picture.
Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy came just days before the Oscars, and it has caused widespread uproar around the world. Even Republican Congressman Mike Lawler has criticized the President, per NPR, arguing that his actions only aid Russian President Vladimir Putin. With so much public criticism, it is only natural that O’Brien would reference the meeting at the Oscars. Still, it will undoubtedly cause backlash in the coming days. Considering that Trump publicly criticized Jimmy Kimmel’s hosting last year, he will likely begin speaking out as soon as the news reaches him.
Developing…
Oscars
- Location
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Los Angeles, CA
- Dates
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March 2, 2025
- Website
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https://www.oscars.org/