Oscars Dodge Mentioning Donald Trump, but Some Speeches Still Hit on Hot-Button Political Issues

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The Oscars ceremony on Sunday night followed the pattern of previous award shows this year, focusing on entertainment rather than politics and refraining from mentioning Donald Trump. Host Conan O’Brien made a quick joke about the film “Anora” winning two awards: “It looks like Americans are excited to see someone challenge a powerful Russian.” This comment referenced Trump’s labeling of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “dictator,” and the recent media frenzy surrounding their meeting at the White House over foreign aid, amidst Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Despite occasional references to a Trump biopic, neither the host nor the presenters made any direct mentions of Donald Trump throughout the ceremony. This approach echoed the tone set at January’s Golden Globes and followed a pattern similar to the first major award shows of the season. During these events, speakers avoided explicitly referring to President Trump, as was common during his term. In contrast, the Oscar ceremonies under Trump’s first term saw more direct criticism, with host Jimmy Kimmel openly mocking the president during the show. For instance, he once quipped, “Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? That’s gone, thanks to him.

Nevertheless, some honorees chose to address political concerns, even when hesitant to mention Trump explicitly. A prime example is the acceptance speech for the documentary feature award, delivered by the Israeli-Palestinian film collective behind “No Other Land.” This powerful film portrays the demolition of homes on the occupied West Bank by Israeli soldiers and has faced resistance from an industry unwilling to distribute a documentary with such sensitive subject matter. With recent events in Gaza, this film’s significance has grown as Israel continues its prolonged assault there.

Basel Adra, a Palestinian journalist and activist, urged global intervention to halt the injustice against Palestinians, specifically ethnic cleansing. As a new father just two months ago, he expressed his wish for his daughter to not face the same struggles as him. ‘No Other Land’ is a reflection of the tough circumstances we’ve experienced for decades and our ongoing resistance.

In a direct statement, film director Yuval Abraham criticized the U.S.’s foreign policy, claiming that it worsens the suffering in the region. He argued that there is an alternative route to peace, one without ethnic superiority and offering national rights for both parties. Furthermore, he expressed frustration that the current U.S. foreign policy seems to be impeding this desired path towards a peaceful resolution.

At the event, presenter Daryl Hannah unexpectedly added her voice to the mix, shouting “Glory to Ukraine!” This was likely an impromptu display of solidarity for a nation that is currently in limbo, as there’s speculation about a possible withdrawal of foreign aid by the current U.S. administration.

During the course of the event, Sean Baker, the director of “Anora”, acknowledged the sex worker community in his first of four speeches. He expressed his appreciation for their openness in sharing their stories and insights into their lives: “I hold them in the highest regard. Thank you, it’s an honor to share this recognition with you.

During her speech after winning Best Supporting Actress, Zoe Saldaña, who played Emilia Pérez, proudly acknowledged her roots as the daughter of immigrants in the United States. She expressed her joy at receiving an award for a role that allowed her to sing and speak in Spanish, mentioning that if her grandmother were present, she would be thrilled.

Despite the movie’s central theme revolving around gender-affirming surgery, none of the award recipients for the film used the term “trans” during their speeches. This omission aligned with the general avoidance of discussing the Trump administration’s policies related to transgender issues, such as executive orders recognizing only two genders and prohibiting trans women from participating in female sports.

In his acceptance speech for “The Brutalist,” Adrien Brody expressed that both of his Oscars were earned by portraying Holocaust survivors. He stated, “I find myself here again, standing to symbolize the lasting impacts of war, oppression, and discrimination – antisemitism, racism, and exclusion. … I hope for a world that is healthier, happier, and more accepting. And if history has shown us anything, it’s a lesson to never let hatred persist without challenge.

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2025-03-03 10:43