Comedy has always thrived on creativity and wit, but Conan O’Brien argues that the current climate has some comedians losing their edge. In a candid discussion with the Oxford Union, the former late-night host criticized performers whose work now revolves solely around anger and anti-Trump rhetoric, warning that humor should never be sacrificed for outrage. Now, Elon Musk has weighed in on the topic.
Conan O’Brien on Comedy Losing Its Way
O’Brien observed that Trump’s presence has distorted the comedic landscape, saying, “Comedy needs a straight line to go off of, and we don’t have a straight line right now. We have a very bendy, rubbery line.” He noted a troubling trend among some comics:
“Some comics go the route of ‘I’m going to just say ‘F Trump’ all the time’… that’s their comedy. And I think well now, a little bit, you’re being co-opted because you’re so angry. You’ve been lulled. It’s like a siren leading you into the rocks. You’ve been lulled into just saying ‘F Trump. F Trump. F Trump. Screw this guy.’ And I think you’ve now put down your best weapon, which is being funny, and you’ve exchanged it for anger.”
O’Brien stressed that comedians must find ways to channel frustration into humor rather than abandoning their craft entirely, arguing that art and comedy remain powerful tools against authority when wielded with creativity instead of just rage.
Elon Musk Weighs In on O’Brien’s Take
Elon Musk weighed in on the conversation via X after Conan O’Brien’s viewpoint, commenting, “They stopped being funny long ago.” His remark comes after his recent reunion with Trump and follows critiques from late-night hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert, highlighting the ongoing debate over the state of political comedy.
Critics have echoed O’Brien’s sentiment, arguing that many late-night shows now suffer from what some call “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” focusing almost exclusively on political outrage instead of clever humor. As Adam Lowisz noted, these programs “have essentially become propagandists, not comedians.” Another observer added, “Comedy dies the moment it becomes a sermon. Humor needs distance, not rage.”
Musk’s comment underscores a wider concern that some anti-Trump comedy may have lost its edge, leaving audiences craving wit over anger.
