At the 97th Academy Awards ceremony Sunday night, the show was relatively light on politics, but the acceptance speeches and host Conan O’Brien still waded into divisive commentary.
Last week, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences CEO Bill Kramer said in an interview that his goal for the award show was to be politics-free. He called O’Brien “apolitical,” a departure from the stridently progressive former host Jimmy Kimmel in previous years. Kramer also encouraged celebrities to limit the political commentary and instead focus “on their work.”
Political moments from the 2025 Oscars!
READ: https://t.co/CCsERL4xOE pic.twitter.com/yH5ttb4jBV
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 3, 2025
Throughout the ceremony, the commentary remained mostly on the filmmaking, but the political statements predictably made their way into the show.
O’Brien quipped about Ukraine’s war against Russia by making a snarky remark about the film Anora, a story about a sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch.
“Anora is having a good night,” the comedian said. “Yeah, that’s great news. Two wins already. I guess Americans are excited to see somebody finally stand up to a powerful Russian.”
During the #Oscars, Conan O’Brien jokes about #Anora, saying, ‘I guess Americans are excited to see somebody finally stand up to a powerful Russian.’ pic.twitter.com/GXWx9VfOQn
— TheWrap (@TheWrap) March 3, 2025
While on the red carpet, Peter Straughan, a screenwriter for Conclave, was spotted wearing a pin with Ukrainian colors to show support.
Actress Daryl Hannah opened the beginning of her presentation for Best Editing with a show of support for Ukraine.
“Slava Ukraine,” she stated as she stood at the microphone, inspiring the Hollywood crowd to applaud her.
“Slava Ukraine.”
Daryl Hannah acknowledged the war in Ukraine before presenting the Oscar for Best Editing to Sean Baker.#Oscarshttps://t.co/nl9CxOviL4 pic.twitter.com/0pBvkPxR61
— ABC News (@ABC) March 3, 2025
The filmmakers for No Other Land used their Best Documentary acceptance speech to criticize U.S. foreign policy in the Israel-Hamas war.
“We made this film, Palestinians and Israelis, because together, our voices are stronger,” co-director Yuval Abraham said. “We see each other, the destruction of Gaza and its people, which must end, the Israeli hostages, brutally taken in the crime of Oct. 7, which must be freed.
“The foreign policy in this country is helping to block this path,” he added. “Why? Can’t you see that we are intertwined? There is another way. It’s not too late for life, for the living.”
!!!!!!!! the team from No Other Land calling out Trump while talking about Palestine
“The foreign policy in this country is helping to block this path. Why? Can’t you see that we are intertwined? There is another way. It’s not too late for life, for the living.” pic.twitter.com/d6wiCrtits
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) March 3, 2025
The Brutalist actor Adrien Brody called out antisemitism and racism during his acceptance speech for best actor.
“I’m here once again to represent the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression and of antisemitism and racism and othering,” he said of his role as Hungarian-Jewish architect Laszlo Toth, who fled post-war Europe to the United States. “I pray for a healthier and a happier and a more inclusive world. And I believe if the past can teach us anything, it’s a reminder to not let hate go unchecked.”
Actress Gabrielle Union, alongside her husband, former basketball star Dwyane Wade, used the red carpet to promote activism regarding her transgender stepchild.
“Whether you have trans kids or you just understand the value of every single member of our society, it’s time to fight,” she declared.
Gabrielle Union: “Whether you have trans kids, or you just understand the value of every single member of our society, it’s time to fight.” | Vanity Fair #Oscars Party pic.twitter.com/Bl7hA6NvxP
— Variety (@Variety) March 3, 2025
During his Best Supporting Actor award acceptance speech, Kieran Culkin was widely praised for his pro-family commentary in telling a story about his wife, Jazz Charton, promising him four children if he wins an Oscar.
“About a year ago, I was on a stage like this and I, very stupidly, publicly said that I want a third kid from her because she said if I won the award, I would, she would give me the kid,” Culkin said. “It turns out she said that because she didn’t think I was going to win, but then people came up to her and were like, you know, really annoying her, I think, I think it got to her, but anyway.
“She goes, ‘Oh God, I did say that. I guess I owe you a third kid,’ and I turned to her and I said, ‘Really I want four.’ And she turned to me — I swear to God this happened, it was just over a year ago — she said, ‘I will give you four when you win an Oscar.’ I held my hand out, she shook it and I have not brought it up once until just now.”
Wow.
Kieran Culkin just gave an incredible Pro-Family speech on stage in front of all of satanic Hollywood at the Oscars.
More of this!!
pic.twitter.com/zwq1VSPojw— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 3, 2025
“I just have this to say to you, Jazz, love of my life, ye of little faith,” Culkin shared from the stage to his wife. “No pressure. I love you. I’m really sorry I did this again. And let’s get crackin’ on those kids. What do you say? I love you!”
Actress Zoe Saldana, winner of Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Perez, defended her film in the press room following her win when a Mexican reporter called the movie “hurtful for us Mexicans.”
OSCARS AIM TO BE POLITICS-FREE WITH ‘APOLITICAL’ HOST CONAN O’BRIEN
“First of all, I’m very, very sorry that you and so many Mexicans felt offended,” she said. “That was never our intention. We spoke and came from a place of love, and I will stand by that.
“I don’t share your opinion. For me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico. We weren’t making a film about a country. We were making a film about four women. And these women could have been Russian. They could have been Dominican. They could have been black from Detroit. Could have been from Israel. Could have been from Gaza. And these women are still very universal women that are struggling every day at trying to survive systemic oppression and trying to find their most authentic voices.”
