Here's Why Trump Won't Be Mentioned at Tonight's Oscars

During the 98th Academy Awards, Conan O'Brien delivered jokes that were edgy yet avoided direct references to Donald Trump. His hosting focused on humor without anger or heavy politics.

O'Brien's Approach to Oscars Hosting

Conan O'Brien explained before the event that his goal was to balance celebration with humor, avoiding turning the show political. He expressed concerns that comedy should be clever rather than driven by anger, which can lead to jokes falling flat.

At the Oscars, O'Brien didn't mention Trump explicitly but made indirect allusions to political topics like the MAGA movement. For example, he joked about an alternative Oscars being hosted by Kid Rock elsewhere. He also referenced Trump's proposal to rename the Kennedy Center in a humorous light.

Historic Oscar Moments of Controversy

The article discusses historic controversial moments at the Oscars, such as Hattie McDaniel winning an Oscar in 1940 while segregated from her co-stars. Another instance is Marlon Brando refusing his Oscar in protest of Hollywood's portrayal of Native Americans.

The #OscarsSoWhite movement in 2015-2016 highlighted the lack of diversity among nominees, leading to significant public and industry reactions. There was also a notable mix-up in 2017 when La La Land was incorrectly announced as Best Picture instead of Moonlight.

Memorable Oscars Stunts and Incidents

Sacha Baron Cohen caused a stir in 2012 at the Oscars by spilling "ashes" on Ryan Seacrest, promoting his film The Dictator with provocative humor. One of the most shocking moments took place in 2022 when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock after a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head, causing widespread attention.