The comedianNikki Glasertold reporters she would avoid addressingPresident Donald Trumpin the days leading up to her second turn hosting the Golden Globes.
"No, I don't think he should even watch," Glaser told Reuters ahead of the Jan. 11 fête. "I'm not going to say his name; I'm not going to mention him. He can sit this one out."
Glaser's comments came less than a week after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shotRenee Nicole Goodin Minneapolis, dividing the nation over the circumstances surrounding her death.
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The Globes previously hoped to separate itself from the country's political divides, especially as the awards ceremony was set to be aired on CBS. Some believe the network has done Trump's bidding during his second term. CBS' parent company Paramount paid $16 million to settle a lawsuit with Trump last July after he claimed that "60 Minutes" deceptively edited an interview with 2024 election opponentKamala Harris.
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In recent weeks, CBS News has been under fire over firings, hirings and editorial choices made by newly minted editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, who also runs right-leaning news and opinion site The Free Press.
Nikki Glaser jabs Trump administration over Epstein files
While Glaser stayed away from Trump during her monologue, she did take jabs at the news out of D.C. with veiled references at the president.
The "Roast of Tom Brady" breakout star poked fun at the Trump administration's release of government documents that the public hoped would shed light on convicted sex traffickerJeffrey Epstein'sties to the world's most rich and powerful men.
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"I cannot believe the amount of star power we have in this room tonight, it is insane," Glaser joked of the Epstein files. "There's so many A-listers ... and by A-listers, I mean people who are on 'a list' that has been heavily redacted."
"The Golden Globe for best editing goes to the Justice Department," Glaser continued. While the ceremony was televised on CBS and Paramount+, Glaser jabbed at Weiss' tenure over its news division. "And the award for most editing goes to CBS News ... America's newest place to see BS news," Glaser said.
The Golden Globe Foundationalso snubbed political podcastsin the ceremony's inaugural podcasting category, instead awarding "Parks and Recreation" and "Saturday Night Live" alum Amy Poehler for her hit show "Good Hang."
Mark Ruffalo on the red carpet: Trump is a 'pedophile' and 'rapist'
While comments from the stage were largely apolitical, some celebrities spoke out on the red carpet. "Task" star and Globe nomineeMark Ruffaloand Glaser's fellow comicWanda Sykeswere among Hollywood celebrities donning pins that said "BE GOOD" and "ICE OUT," protesting Good's Twin Cities death.
"This is for Renee Nicole Goode, who was murdered," Ruffalo told USA TODAY on the red carpet, slammingTrump. "We're in the middle of a war with Venezuela that we illegally invaded. He's telling the world that international law doesn't matter to him."
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Lights, camera, fashion! We can't wait to see how the stars light up the red carpet at the 2026 Golden Globes. Until then, revisit the greatest looks in Globes history, starting with Demi Moore in 2025, who made a statement in a champagne mermaid dress by Giorgio Armani Privé.
"The only thing that matters to him is his own morality, but the guy is a convicted felon or convicted rapist," Ruffalo added. "He's a pedophile. He's the worst human being. If we're relying on this guy's morality for the most powerful country in the world, then we're all in a lot of trouble."
Contributing: Patrick Ryan, Ralphie Aversa
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Golden Globes (mostly) avoid calling out Trump