Comedian Nikki Glaser revealed her choice to omit politically charged jokes, including those related to former President Donald Trump, while hosting the 2026 Golden Globes. During her appearance on Howard Stern’s radio show, Glaser explained that jokes involving Trump were written but ultimately deemed inappropriate for the event’s atmosphere.
Glaser emphasized that political humor simply did not resonate with her in the current climate. “It’s not funny,” she stated, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. She recalled considering a lighthearted quip about the bar running out of ice, stating, “even that’s just being too trivial.”
The comedian also mentioned that a specific joke penned by Steve Martin, which focused on Trump’s addition of his name to the Kennedy Center, was scrapped as it felt out of place. “It was like, you just don’t say that guy’s name right now,” she noted. “I just want to give it space,” she added, highlighting her desire to avoid contentious topics during the ceremony.
Despite Glaser’s avoidance of political commentary, the event was not free from political undertones. The Golden Globes occurred shortly after the tragic death of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman killed during an encounter with ICE, igniting widespread protests and national discussions. Several guests, including Jean Smart, Mark Ruffalo, and Wanda Sykes, wore pins advocating for change, such as “BE GOOD” and “ICE OUT.”
In a twist of irony, Glaser did take a jab at the network broadcasting the awards, CBS. She humorously quipped, “The award for most editing goes to CBS News. Yes. CBS News: America’s newest place to ‘see BS’ news.” This comment comes amid ongoing disputes involving CBS News, which has faced accusations of selectively editing interviews from various parties, including Trump and Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Glaser’s hosting of the Golden Globes was marked by her attempt to maintain a light-hearted atmosphere while navigating the complexities of current events. Her choices reflect a broader consideration of how humor interacts with serious societal issues.
