Conan O’Brien is seemingly taking a knock at President Trump at the Oscars, saying audiences are happy to see fictional film characters stand up to “a powerful Russian.”
“You know ‘Anora’ is having a good night,” O’Brien, the host of the 97th annual Academy Awards, said during the ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday.
“That’s great news. Two wins already,” the comedian said of the movie, which is about a sex worker who marries a Russian oligarch’s son.
“I guess Americans are excited to see somebody finally stand up to a powerful Russian,” O’Brien deadpanned to applause from the audience.
Without naming him, the quip appeared to be a swipe at Trump, following a tense Oval Office meeting on Friday between the president, Vice President Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the sometimes-heated and explosive exchange, Trump and Zelensky argued over U.S. support for Ukraine.
Several Republican political figures, including GOP strategist Karl Rove and Rep. Mike Lawler (N.Y.) have publicly criticized the clash between Trump and Zelensky, saying the only winner of the contentious meeting was Russian President Vladimir Putin.