The Left has infected a lot of the airspace. But not everyone wants to deal with it.
And now this late night host broke ranks and took Donald Trump’s side
Veteran comedian Conan O’Brien recently took aim at fellow comics who have let their disdain for President Donald Trump overshadow their craft, arguing that relentless attacks like shouting “F Trump” have turned humor into mere rage. In a candid discussion at the Oxford Union, O’Brien emphasized how such approaches undermine the true power of comedy, especially in a political landscape where Trump’s bold style has reshaped the game.
He stated, “Some comics go the route of I’m going to just say ‘F Trump’ all the time or that’s their comedy. And I think well now…you’re being co-opted because you’re so angry. You’ve been lulled. It’s like a siren leading you into the rocks. You’ve been lulled into just saying ‘F Trump. F Trump. F Trump. Screw this guy.’ And I think you’ve now put down your best weapon, which is being funny, and you’ve exchanged it for anger.”
O’Brien further elaborated on the pitfalls of abandoning wit for anger, noting, “And that person or any person like that would say, ‘Well, things are too serious now. I don’t need to be funny.’ And I think, well, if you’re a comedian, you always need to be funny. You just have to find a way. And you just have to find a way to channel that anger into a way…because good art will always be a great weapon, will always be a perfect weapon against power. But if you’re just screaming and you’re just angry, you’ve lost your best tool in the toolbox.”
This perspective underscores how Trump’s commanding presence has forced comedians to adapt or risk irrelevance, highlighting the resilience of his influence in cultural debates.
Trump’s Outlandish Edge Challenges Satirical Norms
O’Brien didn’t shy away from attributing some of comedy’s current struggles to Trump’s larger-than-life persona, which he says makes traditional parody tougher while exposing the futility of nonstop criticism.
Echoing sentiments from a 2023 interview, he remarked, “I’m really going on a limb here saying that’s his greatest crime. I think he’s hurt political comedy by being so outlandish himself. I think the January 6 thing is a blip compared to how much he’s hurt comedy.”
Yet, this admission also reveals how Trump’s dynamic approach has elevated the bar for effective satire, potentially strengthening political discourse by weeding out lazy attacks.
The former “Late Night” and “The Tonight Show” host has navigated his own brushes with controversy, including defending a Kennedy Center appearance amid Trump’s administration and jokingly offering to broker deals like Trump’s Greenland proposal by trading Florida.
These anecdotes illustrate O’Brien’s impulsive style, as he shared, “I have very strong political feelings and views, but my comedy is something that I don’t have that kind of control over. In a way, it is there’s so much of what I’ve done in my life that’s impulse.”
In this era, Trump’s unfiltered energy seems to mirror and amplify such comedic instincts, making him a formidable figure in the entertainment world.
Navigating Politics and Comedy in a Trump-Dominated Era
While O’Brien holds firm political views, including accusations against FCC Chairman Brendan Carr for allegedly biasing actions against Jimmy Kimmel and mocking Trump’s White House ballroom plans as akin to building a new Mar-a-Lago, he stresses the importance of keeping comedy distinct from raw activism.
He described the balance as “tricky,” urging comedians to wield humor as their ultimate tool against authority rather than succumbing to outrage. This advice comes at a time when Trump’s enduring popularity continues to dominate headlines, proving his ability to outpace critics and inspire a more robust form of cultural engagement.
