Conan O'Brien gives warning to comics saying 'F Trump all the time' Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY January 9, 2026 at 4:56 AM 0 Conan O'Brien has no issue with comedians criticizing President Donald Trump, just the way they are doing it. During an interview at Oxford Union uploaded Tuesday, Jan. 6, the former talk show host cautioned his fellow comics who lose their humor while condemning the Trump administration. The union is a student debating society at the University of Oxford in England.
- - Conan O'Brien gives warning to comics saying 'F Trump all the time'
Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY January 9, 2026 at 4:56 AM
0
Conan O'Brien has no issue with comedians criticizing President Donald Trump, just the way they are doing it.
During an interview at Oxford Union uploaded Tuesday, Jan. 6, the former talk show host cautioned his fellow comics who lose their humor while condemning the Trump administration. The union is a student debating society at the University of Oxford in England. Since 1823, it has welcomed comedians, celebrities, politicians and world leaders to publicly engage in debate and public speaking.
"Some comics go the route of, 'I'm gonna just say F Trump all the time,' or that's their comedy. But now I think, you're being co-opted. Because' you're so angry you've been lulled," O'Brien said. "It's like a siren leading you into the rocks."
The Emmy-winner said he's had conversations with comedians who said the world is too serious for purely comedic sets, which he argued means they should prioritize making audiences laugh.
Conan O'Brien takes part in a conversation with Stephen Colbert to benefit Montclair Film at New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Dec. 7, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey.
"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," he said. "You just have to find a way to channel that anger, because good art 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."
O'Brien's remarks come after he accepted the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the newly renamed Trump Kennedy Center last year.
Conan O'Brien said he fears for future of late-night TV
At the Television Academy Hall of Fame ceremony on Aug. 16, O'Brien said he expected the current late-night television format to go away but emphasized he is confident the hosts will make successful career pivots.
"Late-night television, as we have known it since around 1950, is going to disappear," he said in his speech. "But those voices are not going anywhere."
O'Brien's comments came about a month after CBS cancelled "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," as part of what the network called a "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night."
People like Stephen Colbert are too talented, and too essential, to go away. It's not going to happen. He's not going anywhere. Stephen is going to evolve and shine brighter than ever in a new format that he controls completely," O'Brien said.
Adam Carolla and Jimmy Kimmel from "The Man Show" appear on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios in Los Angeles on Nov. 19, 2001.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/PQMKsAu class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
Adam Carolla and Jimmy Kimmel from "The Man Show" appear on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios in Los Angeles on Nov. 19, 2001.
">Adam Carolla and Jimmy Kimmel from "The Man Show" appear on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios in Los Angeles on Nov. 19, 2001.
" src=https://ift.tt/PQMKsAu class=caas-img>Jimmy Kimmell sits at a late night host practice desk and interviews with "TRL" host Carson Daly in New York on Jan. 14, 2003.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/3PKYU9W class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
Jimmy Kimmell sits at a late night host practice desk and interviews with "TRL" host Carson Daly in New York on Jan. 14, 2003.
">Jimmy Kimmell sits at a late night host practice desk and interviews with "TRL" host Carson Daly in New York on Jan. 14, 2003.
" src=https://ift.tt/3PKYU9W class=caas-img>Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman during 2nd annual Lakers Casino Night Benefiting the Lakers Youth Foundation red carpet at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California, in 2005.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4q09Lnu class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman during 2nd annual Lakers Casino Night Benefiting the Lakers Youth Foundation red carpet at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California, in 2005.
">Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman during 2nd annual Lakers Casino Night Benefiting the Lakers Youth Foundation red carpet at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California, in 2005.
" src=https://ift.tt/4q09Lnu class=caas-img>Jimmy Kimmel speaks onstage during the American Cinematheque 24th annual awards show to honor Matt Damon at The Beverly Hilton on March 27, 2010, in Beverly Hills, California.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/pxg8i0n class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
Jimmy Kimmel speaks onstage during the American Cinematheque 24th annual awards show to honor Matt Damon at The Beverly Hilton on March 27, 2010, in Beverly Hills, California.
">Jimmy Kimmel speaks onstage during the American Cinematheque 24th annual awards show to honor Matt Damon at The Beverly Hilton on March 27, 2010, in Beverly Hills, California.
" src=https://ift.tt/pxg8i0n class=caas-img>Jimmy Kimmel and Emily Blunt onstage during the 16th annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards on Jan. 14, 2011.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/AsbORdi class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
Jimmy Kimmel and Emily Blunt onstage during the 16th annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards on Jan. 14, 2011.
">Jimmy Kimmel and Emily Blunt onstage during the 16th annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards on Jan. 14, 2011.
" src=https://ift.tt/AsbORdi class=caas-img>Jimmy Kimmel and Flavor Flav at the American Music Awards in 2006.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ADReiOB class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
Jimmy Kimmel and Flavor Flav at the American Music Awards in 2006.
">Jimmy Kimmel and Flavor Flav at the American Music Awards in 2006.
" src=https://ift.tt/ADReiOB class=caas-img>Jimmy Kimmel and NBA player Kobe Bryant in 2013.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/IVqRua9 class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
Jimmy Kimmel and NBA player Kobe Bryant in 2013.
">Jimmy Kimmel and NBA player Kobe Bryant in 2013.
" src=https://ift.tt/IVqRua9 class=caas-img>Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney in New York City in 2014.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/icCkT0f class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney in New York City in 2014.
">Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney in New York City in 2014.
" src=https://ift.tt/icCkT0f class=caas-img>Jimmy Kimmel, John Stamos and comedian Don Rickles in Beverly Hills, California, in 2015.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1kWS3Y2 class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
Jimmy Kimmel, John Stamos and comedian Don Rickles in Beverly Hills, California, in 2015.
">Jimmy Kimmel, John Stamos and comedian Don Rickles in Beverly Hills, California, in 2015.
" src=https://ift.tt/1kWS3Y2 class=caas-img>President Barack Obama talks with Jimmy Kimmel during a taping of his late-night talk show in 2015.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/uDCicwv class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
President Barack Obama talks with Jimmy Kimmel during a taping of his late-night talk show in 2015.
">President Barack Obama talks with Jimmy Kimmel during a taping of his late-night talk show in 2015.
" src=https://ift.tt/uDCicwv class=caas-img>Hillary Clinton appears on the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show in 2016.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/aMQnc3T class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
Hillary Clinton appears on the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show in 2016.
">Hillary Clinton appears on the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show in 2016.
" src=https://ift.tt/aMQnc3T class=caas-img>Jimmy Kimmel, wife Molly McNearney and daughter Jane Kimmel attend the 7th annual L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade at UCLA on Sept. 10, 2016, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/MuXNtRF class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
Jimmy Kimmel, wife Molly McNearney and daughter Jane Kimmel attend the 7th annual L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade at UCLA on Sept. 10, 2016, in Los Angeles.
">Jimmy Kimmel, wife Molly McNearney and daughter Jane Kimmel attend the 7th annual L.A. Loves Alex's Lemonade at UCLA on Sept. 10, 2016, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/MuXNtRF class=caas-img>Jimmy Kimmel attends the 2016 MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Lionel Richie at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Feb. 13, 2016 in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/XY5TZqp class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
Jimmy Kimmel attends the 2016 MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Lionel Richie at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Feb. 13, 2016 in Los Angeles.
">Jimmy Kimmel attends the 2016 MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Lionel Richie at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Feb. 13, 2016 in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/XY5TZqp class=caas-img>
Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel present the award for lead actress in a comedy series during the 71st Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sept. 22, 2019.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Z6utOTI class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel present the award for lead actress in a comedy series during the 71st Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sept. 22, 2019.
">Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel present the award for lead actress in a comedy series during the 71st Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sept. 22, 2019.
" src=https://ift.tt/Z6utOTI class=caas-img>Jimmy Kimmel court side at a Los Angeles Lakers game in 2023.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/UPcgrn2 class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
Jimmy Kimmel court side at a Los Angeles Lakers game in 2023.
">Jimmy Kimmel court side at a Los Angeles Lakers game in 2023.
" src=https://ift.tt/UPcgrn2 class=caas-img>Jimmy Kimmel delivers the opening monologue during the 96th Academy Awards on March 10, 2024.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/34CUySX class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
Jimmy Kimmel delivers the opening monologue during the 96th Academy Awards on March 10, 2024.
">Jimmy Kimmel delivers the opening monologue during the 96th Academy Awards on March 10, 2024.
" src=https://ift.tt/34CUySX class=caas-img>Jimmy Kimmel watches the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees during game one of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 25, 2024.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FZ8KXzu class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
Jimmy Kimmel watches the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees during game one of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 25, 2024.
">Jimmy Kimmel watches the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees during game one of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 25, 2024.
" src=https://ift.tt/FZ8KXzu class=caas-img>
Jimmy Kimmel, winner of the outstanding host for a game show award for "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," attends the 2025 Creative Arts Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on Sept. 7, 2025, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/3qwyoWT class=caas-img data-headline="Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension" data-caption="
Jimmy Kimmel, winner of the outstanding host for a game show award for "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," attends the 2025 Creative Arts Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on Sept. 7, 2025, in Los Angeles.
">Jimmy Kimmel, winner of the outstanding host for a game show award for "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," attends the 2025 Creative Arts Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on Sept. 7, 2025, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://ift.tt/3qwyoWT class=caas-img>
1 / 21Most memorable Jimmy Kimmel moments as his show returns to air after suspension
Adam Carolla and Jimmy Kimmel from "The Man Show" appear on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios in Los Angeles on Nov. 19, 2001.
His comments were made a month before Jimmy Kimmel's pre-emptive hiatus in September, when ABC pulled "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" off U.S. airwaves following criticism over comments he made about Charlie Kirk's fatal shooting. Trump-appointed FCC chairman Brendan Carr had pressured the network to take action against Kimmel, prompting outcry and accusations of government censorship.
The show returned to ABC on Sept 23, when the comedian called critics' response to his comments "intentionally, and I think maliciously, mischaracterized." Kimmel emphasized that it was "never my intention to make light" of Kirk's death.
Contributing: Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Conan O'Brien warns comedians against saying 'F Trump all the time'
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: January 09, 2026 at 06:45AM on Source: ANDY MAG
#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle