Conan O’Brien aimed multiple jokes at US President Donald Trump throughout the 2026 Oscars. From international controversies to presidential naming habits, the comedian used it for joke fodder during television’s biggest night.
Conan O’Brien makes jokes about Donald Trump
At the Oscars 2026, Conan O’Brien took a jab at Donald Trump’s recent actions. “Welcome back! We’re coming to you live from the Has a Small Penis Theater,” the host announced. “Let’s see him put his name in front of that!” he added.
The joke referenced Trump’s pattern of attaching his name to institutions. In December, he renamed the Kennedy Center, the Trump Kennedy Center, and similarly rebranded the U.S. Institute of Peace as the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace.
Last month, the Trump administration allegedly asked Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to rename New York’s Penn Station and Washington Dulles International Airport in exchange for releasing federal funds. Trump denied requesting the Penn Station name change, posting on Truth Social that the idea “was brought up by certain politicians and construction union heads, not me.”
Moreover, O’Brien’s opening monologue set the tone for the evening when he made a provocative comparison between American and British public figures. “It’s the first time since 2012 that there are no British actors nominated for Best Actor or Best Actress,” O’Brien said. “A British spokesperson said, ‘Yeah, well, at least we arrest our pedophiles.’ So, you got that going for you,” he added.
The joke appeared to reference recent legal developments involving British officials. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor faced arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. This followed the release of the Epstein files. Former British ambassador Peter Mandelson was arrested on similar charges. Neither has been formally charged. Both have denied any wrongdoing.
The Epstein files also mention multiple rank-holding Americans, including Trump and former President Bill Clinton. Like their British counterparts, no Americans have been officially charged, and both Trump and Clinton have denied any wrongdoing. Trump has claimed the files prove he has been “totally exonerated” (via Entertainment Weekly).
