Comedian Nikki Glaser revealed she intentionally steered clear of political jokes while hosting the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, saying the current climate made them simply “not funny.” On Tuesday’s episode of the Howard Stern Show, Glaser explained that material targeting Donald Trump and other political subjects was written but ultimately cut because it didn’t feel right for the night or the audience.
Glaser said one quip she considered — about being told the bar was out of ice — sounded trivial and out of place. She also shared that a Trump‑related joke written by Steve Martin was scrapped because it “just didn’t fit the tone,” adding she felt it was better to give politics space rather than force humor. “It’s just not funny,” she said of jokes about the current political moment, explaining that the stakes feel too high for certain punchlines.
Despite avoiding outright political punchlines, Glaser didn’t completely shy away from commentary. She took a jab at the network airing the awards, calling CBS “the home of BS news” and quipping about its editing choices. These remarks came amid broader disputes involving CBS, including accusations from political figures that the network selectively edits interviews for partisan effect. Glaser’s critique resonated with viewers who feel media bias is a serious concern, and it injected a bit of edge into her set without diving into divisive policy jokes.
The 2026 Golden Globes took place just days after the fatal shooting of Renee Good during an ICE confrontation in Minneapolis, a tragedy that has sparked widespread protests and national debate. Some audience members used the event to make political statements, with celebrities like Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, and Jean Smart wearing pins featuring slogans such as “BE GOOD” and “ICE OUT.” Those appearances underscored how deeply current events are seeping into entertainment spaces, even when hosts attempt to keep their material neutral.
For Glaser, the decision to avoid politics was a deliberate choice to focus on unifying humor rather than division. She said that in a time of heightened polarization, jokes about political figures can feel like punching down or inflaming tensions, rather than bringing people together. While some comedians embrace biting political satire, Glaser’s approach at the Golden Globes shows an awareness of the line between commentary and comedy — and her desire to respect an audience hit by real‑world anguish and controversy.
