> At a Glance
> – Conan O’Brien told Oxford students comedians must stay funny, not just angry, when tackling Trump
> – He says endless “F Trump” rants trade humor for rage and “put down your best weapon”
> – O’Brien calls Trump’s second term “very challenging” because reality outruns parody
> – Why it matters: His stance spotlights the struggle late-night hosts face in keeping jokes sharp when politics feel surreal
Conan O’Brien has a blunt message for fellow comedians venting about Donald Trump: if your whole bit is shouting “F Trump,” you’ve already lost the punchline.
Anger vs. Humor
Speaking at Oxford University in a Jan. 6 YouTube-posted talk, the 62-year-old host said Trump’s second term has been “very challenging” because rage too often replaces wit.
> “Some comics go the route of, ‘I’m gonna just say F Trump all the time,'”
>
> Conan O’Brien explained, warning that constant outrage lets comedians be “co-opted” and wastes “your best tool in the toolbox.”
His advice:
- Channel anger into crafted jokes
- Remember comedy is “a perfect weapon against power”
- Never trade humor for pure screaming
The Parody Problem
O’Brien dashed the idea that Trump’s era is comedy gold. Recalling his Harvard Lampoon days, he noted the campus couldn’t parody The National Enquirer because its headlines were already absurd.
He sees the same hurdle today:
> “With Trump, we have a similar situation… ‘We’ve got a great Trump sketch-he talks crazy and tears down the White House to build a ballroom.’ Yeah, no. That happened yesterday.”
The result, he said, is a “bendy, rubbery line” rather than the straight setup comedy needs.
Late-Night Flashback
The former late-night host recalled tackling politics in a “cartoony way” and spoofing politicians “on either side,” a balance he calls “tricky” when “trying to make a point.”
Key Takeaways
- O’Brien argues pure anger dulls comedic edge
- Trump’s surreal reality blurs the line between satire and news
- Effective political comedy, he insists, must stay funny first
For comedians navigating the Trump age, O’Brien’s verdict is clear: drop the rage, keep the jokes, and let humor stay the sharpest weapon.
