At the 2026 Oscars, host Conan O’Brien and several presenters and winners addressed chaotic global times, including wars and polarization. Speakers referenced diverse issues from free speech to international conflicts, while Donald Trump criticized media coverage online. The ceremony highlighted themes of unity and resilience amid these tensions.
The 2026 Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre became notably political, with host Conan O’Brien opening by acknowledging global challenges. “If I can be serious for just a moment, everyone watching right now, around the world, is very 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 said. He added, “We pay tribute tonight, not just to film, but to the ideals of global artistry, collaboration, patience, resilience and that rarest of qualities today, optimism.” The event featured references to the international makeup of nominees and the unifying power of movies, alongside first-time achievements by diverse winners. Films like One Battle After Another and Sinners carried underlying political themes, with One Battle After Another winning Best Picture, Director, and four others, and Jordan and Buckley taking lead acting prizes (as noted in related coverage). Paul Thomas Anderson, accepting one of his three awards, spoke of his children’s generation hopefully bringing “common sense and decency.” Joachim Trier, winner of the international feature for Sentimental Value, quoted James Baldwin: “all adults are responsible for all children, and let’s not vote for politicians who don’t take this seriously into account.” Tributes to Rob Reiner and Robert Redford highlighted their political activism. Javier Bardem stated, “No to war, and free Palestine.” Jimmy Kimmel, presenting documentary awards, joked about courage in storytelling and free speech, quipping about leaders in “North Korea and CBS.” He introduced the winner Mr. Nobody Against Putin, about a teacher challenging Russian propaganda during the Ukraine invasion. Co-director David Borenstein remarked, “about how you lose your country... through countless small little acts of complicity. When we act complicit, when a government murders people on the streets of our major cities... oligarchs take over the media.” About an hour earlier, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, attacking media coverage of the Iran war, “corrupt and highly unpatriotic ‘news’ organizations,” and “late night morons.” He suggested treason charges for false information and praised his FCC chairman, also noting Iran’s use of AI for disinformation.
