Conan O’Brien Slams Lazy Anti-Trump Comedy

January 9th, 2026 – Veteran comedian and podcast host Conan O’Brien has sparked renewed conversation in comedy circles with his recent remarks about how comedians respond to former President Donald Trump. Speaking during a wide-ranging discussion at the Oxford Union in early January 2026, O’Brien cautioned his peers against letting political anger overshadow the core of their craft — making people laugh — even when tackling divisive figures like Trump. 

O’Brien’s message isn’t that comedians should avoid political satire altogether, but that they must be careful not to fall into the trap of simply venting frustration. “Some comics go the route of, I’m going to just say ‘F Trump’ all the time… and I think, well now you’re being co-opted because you’re so angry,” he said, emphasizing that throwing out repeated anti-Trump lines effectively trades humor for raw emotion. He warned that losing sight of comedy’s essential purpose — to be funny — diminishes its power as a tool for critique. 

“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.”

O’Brien explained that the unpredictable and often surreal nature of Trump’s public presence presents unique challenges for satire. “Comedy needs a straight line to go off of, and we don’t have a straight line right now,” he noted, likening the current environment to trying to parody something even more absurd than a tabloid that constantly shifts shape. This unpredictability, he said, can make biting political jokes harder to craft without simply repeating outrage. 

While O’Brien is well known for his own brand of high-energy, absurdist humor rather than overt political comedy, he stressed that political satire can be important — so long as it remains grounded in creativity and wit. He urged comedians to “channel that anger” into skillful comedy rather than letting frustration become the dominant force of their material. 

Importantly, O’Brien also made clear he doesn’t dismiss political critique outright. He praised fellow comics whose satire remains sharp and effective, and he has in the past voiced strong views on free speech and artistic expression, particularly in the context of controversies around talk show hosts facing backlash or censorship. 

His comments have drawn reactions across the comedy world and media, with some applauding his call for more inventive satire and others interpreting it as a critique of how late-night and stand-up comedy have adapted to political polarization. Regardless of interpretation, O’Brien’s core point remains: anger alone is not funny, but inventive comedy can still be a powerful means of commentary.