Conan O’Brien stresses the importance of humor in the age of Trump

Veteran comedian Conan O’Brien is urging fellow comics to keep comedy at the heart of their work even as they face the polarizing and unpredictable presidency of Donald Trump, saying too much anger can dilute their art.

O’Brien made his remarks during a conversation at the Oxford Union, stressing that political satire is still important but cautioning against letting frustration overshadow genuine humour.

O’Brien pointed out how Trump’s unconventional style and frequent surprises make it harder for comedians to find a consistent rhythm for jokes. “Comedy needs a straight line to get out. And we don’t have a straight line right now. We have a very curvy, rubbery line … so comedically, it’s been very challenging,” he said, describing the current political landscape as difficult for satire.

The former late-night host criticized comics who rely mostly on repeating anti-Trump chants without adding wit to their performances, saying that in doing so they have given up comedy’s strongest asset.

“I think some comics are going the way of ‘I’ll always say F Trump’ … and I think now you’ve put down your best weapon, which is humor, and you’ve traded it for anger,” O’Brien said, noting that humor is more effective than rage for critical power.

He also addressed the idea that current events are “too serious” for jokes, arguing instead that comedians should find ways to channel their emotions into creative expression.

“That person… would say, ‘Well, things are very serious now. I don’t need to be funny,’ and I think if you’re a comedian, you should always be funny. You just have to find a way to channel that anger,” O’Brien explained.

To illustrate how political comedy has become more sophisticated, O’Brien drew on examples from his own experience in satire, explaining that the unpredictable events of the real world leave less room for clever exaggeration. While his comments touch on frustration with the current environment, he stopped short of dismissing political humor entirely, insisting that intelligent, humorous criticism remains vital.