Conan O'Brien Takes Jabs at MAGA, Epstein Scandal During Oscars Monologue

The comedian poked fun at political figures and controversies during his opening remarks at the 2026 Academy Awards ceremony.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 11:54pm

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Oscars host Conan O'Brien peppered his opening monologue with several political jokes, including references to the MAGA movement and the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. O'Brien warned the audience that the evening might get "political," but assured them there was an alternate Oscars being hosted by Kid Rock down the street for those who felt uncomfortable. He also made a quip about British actors and pedophilia, as well as joked that he might be the last human host of the Oscars as artificial intelligence takes over.

Why it matters

The Oscars telecast draws a massive audience, providing a high-profile platform for celebrities to make political statements. While hosts typically avoid overt political commentary, O'Brien's jokes touched on some of the most divisive issues in American politics. His remarks reflect the increasingly polarized nature of comedy and entertainment in the face of a fractured political landscape.

The details

O'Brien's monologue included several pointed political jabs. He referenced the controversy over the NFL's choice of Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl halftime show, joking that there was an "alternate Oscars" being hosted by Kid Rock at a Dave & Buster's. He also made a quip about British actors and pedophilia, alluding to the arrest of Prince Andrew over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Additionally, O'Brien joked that he might be the last human host of the Oscars, as studios increasingly turn to AI for filmmaking.

  • O'Brien hosted the 2026 Academy Awards ceremony on March 15, 2026.

The players

Conan O'Brien

The comedian and television host who served as the emcee for the 2026 Academy Awards ceremony.

Kid Rock

The musician who hosted an "alternate Oscars" event at a Dave & Buster's restaurant, in response to criticism of the NFL's choice of Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl halftime show.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

Formerly known as Prince Andrew, he was arrested over his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

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What they’re saying

“If anyone feels uncomfortable, there's an alternate Oscars being hosted by Kid Rock - it's at the Dave and Busters down the street. Lot of tickets to that.”

— Conan O'Brien, Oscars Host

“a British spokesperson said, yeah, well, at least we arrest our pedophiles”

— Conan O'Brien, Oscars Host

What’s next

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is expected to continue grappling with the balance between political commentary and entertainment at future Oscars ceremonies.

The takeaway

Conan O'Brien's politically-charged Oscars monologue reflects the increasingly polarized nature of comedy and entertainment in the face of a fractured political landscape, as celebrities use high-profile platforms to make statements on divisive issues.