Top political moments from the Oscars

Tara Suter

The Hill

0
16.03.2026

Top political moments from the Oscars

The film industry celebrated its biggest night of the year on Sunday amid global turmoil.

At this year’s Academy Awards, actors Michael B. Jordan and Amy Madigan locked down wins for their performances in the movies “Sinners” and “Weapons,” director Paul Thomas Anderson secured a directing Oscar for “One Battle After Another” and “KPop Demon Hunters” reigned supreme among animated films.

But alongside the wins, there were a few politically charged moments that stood out during Sunday’s awards.

Here are some of them:

Jimmy Kimmel goes after Melania Trump and CBS

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, a frequent critic of President Trump, presented Oscars in a pair of documentary film categories during Sunday’s ceremony.

“We hear a lot about courage at shows like this, but telling a story that could get you killed for telling it is real courage,” Kimmel said.. “As you know, there are some countries whose leaders don’t support free speech. I’m not at liberty to say which.

“Let’s just leave it at North Korea and CBS,” Kimmel added.

Last year, Skydance, owned by the son of a close Trump ally, bought CBS parent company Paramount. Some Democrats and media critics have alleged that Paramount has made changes at CBS News for the advancement of both father and son’s business interests.

“Fortunately for all of us, there is an international community of filmmakers dedicated to telling the truth, oftentimes at great risk, to make films that teach us, that call out injustice, that inspire us to take action,” Kimmel said.

“And there are also documentaries where you walk around the White House trying on shoes,” Kimmel added, appearing to take aim at first lady Melania Trump, whose footwear is spotted in several shots in “Melania,” her documentary from earlier this year.

When presenting the documentary feature film category, Kimmel asked if someone was going to “be mad his wife wasn’t nominated for this,” appearing to refer to the president.

Javier Bardem sends anti-war, pro-Palestinian message

Actor Javier Bardem presented the Oscars’ international feature film category, and prior to reading prepared remarks, he said, “No to war and free Palestine.”

Bardem also wore a pin with the Spanish phrase “No a la guerra,” which translates to “no to war.” He said on the red carpet that it was the same pin he had worn in 2003 to protest the war in Iraq and chose to it again to speak out against the U.S. and Israel’s strikes against Iran.

The conflict in Iran has drawn multiple comparisons to the Iraq war, one of the most controversial wars in recent history.

Conan O’Brien discusses ‘chaotic times’

Former late-night host and comedic legend Conan O’Brien hosted Sunday’s Oscars, giving commentary on the state of the world in between his jokes.

In his opening monologue, O’Brien said the awards show offered some optimism in these “chaotic times.”

“Tonight is an international event,” O’Brien said. “If I can be serious for just a moment, everyone watching right now around the world is all too aware that these are very chaotic, frightening times.

“It’s at moments like these that I believe that the Oscars are particularly resonant,” O’Brien added.

“Thirty-one countries across six continents are represented this evening. And every film we salute is the product of thousands of people speaking different languages, working hard to make something of beauty.”

© The Hill

visit website

Popular

© The Hill