Conan O’Brien hosted the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday night, and while he had numerous opportunities to make jokes throughout the evening, it was his comments on Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin that seemed to grab the most attention.
In a surprising turn of events, Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly humiliated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting at the White House last week. On February 28, Zelenskyy had been invited to the White House for discussions intended to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict that Russia had initiated in 2022 with its invasion of Ukraine.
However, to the shock of many, Trump and Vance showed little empathy for Zelenskyy’s ongoing efforts to defend his country. The two leaders appeared unwilling to support the idea of ending the conflict until Vladimir Putin pulls his troops out, and the exchange quickly turned tense and chaotic in front of the press. Trump even went as far as to accuse Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War 3.”
Trump, visibly frustrated, shouted: “You have no right to tell us how we should feel. It’s going to feel great. We will feel incredibly strong and happy. You’ve put yourself in a very horrible situation, which is why you’re not in a great one right now. At this moment, you do not possess the cards. You begin to have cards with us. You are risking millions of people’s lives! World War Three is a gamble for you! World War III is a gamble for you. Additionally, your actions are extremely disrespectful to this nation.”
The confrontation between Zelenskyy and Trump escalated, with JD Vance throwing in unnecessary remarks that only fueled the tension. The Ukrainian president and his team eventually left Washington after the heated exchange.
The fallout from this incident has left the world in suspense, as it quickly became one of the most widely reported news stories. Meanwhile, the Oscars took place on Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, where hosts like O’Brien have a long history of addressing political topics and making jokes about current events.
The Academy Awards have always been a platform for celebrities to engage with the audience on political matters, and this year, the tension surrounding global politics provided plenty of material for jokes.
Last night, comedian and talk-show host Conan O’Brien took the opportunity to weigh in on the fiery exchange between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former President Donald Trump, which had recently captured the world’s attention. During his Oscars hosting duties, O’Brien made a pointed comment, saying, “Anora’s doing great tonight,” referring to the performance of Anora at the event, before adding, “Two prizes. I believe Americans are finally ready for someone to challenge a strong Russian.”
O’Brien’s remark seemed to reflect the sentiments of many Americans, who feel that Trump is simply doing the bidding of Russian President Vladimir Putin by pressuring Zelenskyy and Ukraine to accept a deal that would involve ceding valuable territory—land that countless Ukrainians have fought valiantly to defend.
In the aftermath of the chaotic Oval Office exchange, it’s hard to ignore the perception that Putin emerged as the clear winner of the debate. Trump’s actions and the confrontational nature of the discussion have sparked intense criticism and further solidified the belief that Putin benefited most from the discord among world leaders.