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 Anora revolves around a Sєx 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:

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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.

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.

Our Take On Conan O’Brien’s Trump Joke At The Oscars

The Oscars Has Always Been Political

None of this is especially new for the Academy Awards. 50 years ago at the 1973 Oscars, Marlon Brando famously refused to accept his Best Actor Oscar for his work in The Godfather. Instead, he sent Indigenous activist Sacheen Littlefeather in his place. On stage, she explained that Brando was protesting the award. She explained that he refused to attend because of Hollywood’s treatment of Indigenous people and because of the then-ongoing protests by activists at Wounded Knee. It was an extremely political statement that earned both applause and outrage.

Conan O’Brien’s comments were not quite as divisive as Littlefeather’s. Instead, he earned cheers and laughter. Still, both Brando’s refusal and O’Brien’s joke came from the same source: A need for the public to accept that the Oscars cannot be a distraction. Instead, they are deeply rooted in the same issues that everyone faces. Though it will likely be controversial, O’Brien has the right to free speech just as everyone else does. He had the right to make his jab at Trump’s policies and treatment of Zelenskyy, just as the audience had the right to laugh.

Source: ABC News & NPR