In a year marked by intense political discourse due to Donald Trump's return to the White House, the 2025 Academy Awards stood out for their subdued political tone. Typically, Hollywood’s premier event provides a platform for political commentary from hosts, presenters, and winners alike. This time around, however, most participants refrained from engaging in direct discussions about the tense political atmosphere, aside from occasional light-hearted jabs. While the second term of Trump's presidency has been scrutinized for its sweeping executive orders impacting various social issues, the Oscars largely steered clear of these topics, focusing instead on artistic achievements and personal messages.

The 97th Academy Awards unfolded at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood with Conan O’Brien as host. Despite maintaining an apolitical stance throughout much of the ceremony, O’Brien managed to insert a subtle joke referencing Trump's relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, drawing applause from the audience. Meanwhile, Adrien Brody used his acceptance speech for Best Actor to address systemic oppression and antisemitism, urging vigilance against unchecked hate. Similarly, Zoe Saldaña, who won Best Supporting Actress, highlighted the struggles faced by immigrant communities, one of the groups targeted by the Trump administration.

A notable moment came when filmmakers behind "No Other Land" addressed U.S. foreign policy concerning Israeli-Palestinian relations. Co-director Yuval Abraham emphasized the need for a political solution and criticized American policies that hinder progress towards peace. Earlier in the evening, Daryl Hannah briefly acknowledged support for Ukraine during her presentation of the Best Film Editing award, which went to Sean Baker for "Anora."

This year's Oscars diverged significantly from other award shows this season, such as the SAG Awards, where figures like Jane Fonda openly discussed empathy and politics. At the Film Independent Spirit Awards, Justin Simien proposed strategies to combat rising nationalism, while Natasha Rothwell voiced solidarity with the transgender community amidst anti-trans legislation.

While the Oscars maintained a relatively neutral tone, they still provided opportunities for artists to express important societal concerns through their work and speeches. The event underscored the power of cinema to inspire reflection and dialogue beyond mere entertainment, even in politically charged times.