Conan O'Brien's Oscars Joke on 'Powerful Russian' Draws Attention

The comedian's remark referenced the award-winning film 'Anora' and sparked speculation about its political undertones.

Conan O'Brien, hosting the 2025 Oscars, made a notable comment about standing up to a 'powerful Russian,' earning applause from the audience.
The remark was tied to the film 'Anora,' which won five Oscars, including Best Picture; the film features a storyline involving a Russian oligarch's family.
O'Brien's comment led to speculation about it being a veiled critique of U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The context of the joke comes as tensions remain high, with Putin's war in Ukraine ongoing for three years and recent disputes between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The joke and its potential political implications have drawn significant media attention, though O'Brien did not elaborate further on its meaning.