- Conan O’Brien told comedians not to trade humor for constant anger when criticizing President Trump.
- Speaking at the Oxford Union, O’Brien warned that repeating “F Trump” becomes a political echo, not comedy.
- He urged comics to channel anger into smart, funny work — comedy is a powerful tool against power.
- O’Brien also reflected on the shifting future of late-night television and performers’ next moves.
H2: Conan’s message at the Oxford Union
Conan O’Brien used an Oxford Union appearance to caution fellow comedians about leaning too far into anger when criticizing the Trump administration. In an interview uploaded to YouTube on Jan. 6, O’Brien said some comics have defaulted to simply shouting “F Trump” as their act.
O’Brien argued that repeating profanities or relying on pure outrage risks being co-opted by the moment. “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,” he said. “You’ve exchanged it for anger.”
H3: Why humor matters, O’Brien says
The Emmy-winning host emphasized that comedy’s strength comes from wit and craft. He told the audience that anger can be a fuel, but if comics only scream, they lose comedy’s persuasive power.
“Good art will always be a perfect weapon against power,” O’Brien said. “But if you’re just screaming and you’re just angry, you’ve lost your best tool in the toolbox.” His main point: comedians should channel frustration into work that still makes people laugh while making a point.
H4: Context — awards and late-night changes
O’Brien’s comments follow his recent acceptance of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center, which was noted in coverage because the venue carried the former president’s name in recent reporting. He has also publicly discussed the future of late-night television, saying the traditional format will likely evolve even as the hosts themselves remain influential.
He warned that late-night as we’ve known it may disappear but noted that the voices — hosts, writers and performers — will adapt and find new formats to reach audiences.
H5: Watch the interview
USA TODAY linked to the full Oxford Union conversation. Watch Conan’s remarks on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3PYjFs4fng
O’Brien’s message landed as comics and late-night hosts navigate political coverage, public backlash and changing TV economics. His plea was simple: keep comedy’s sharpness intact. Use anger productively, but don’t let it replace the craft of making people laugh — that, he says, is the most effective way to push back against power.
Image Referance: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2026/01/08/conan-obrien-trump-criticism/88093622007/
