Conan O'Brien Critiques Trump Administration During Harvard Commencement Speech

<p>Comedian Conan O'Brien delivered a commencement speech at Harvard University on May 28, 2026, where he made several jokes directed at President Donald Trump and his administration.</p><p>O'Brien humorously suggested he might sue Harvard over personal grievances, stating, "I’m confident that my claims will have more merit than those filed by the President of the United States," which received cheers from the audience.</p><p>This comment referenced the Trump administration's lawsuits against Harvard for its alleged failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitism and discrimination in admissions.</p><p>O'Brien continued to critique Trump’s stance on international students, saying, "As you are aware, the current administration feels Harvard admits too many foreign students." He then sarcastically questioned the contributions of foreigners to American culture.</p><p>He also expressed concern about the current political climate, stating, "Our current leadership in Washington believes that empathy is a weakness, and that our nation stands supreme and alone." O'Brien emphasized the impact of social media on self-perception.</p><p>In response to O'Brien's remarks, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle commented that "nobody in their right mind cares what woke celebrities in Hollywood say or think." O'Brien has previously discussed the role of comedians in addressing political figures, emphasizing that humor can humanize individuals.</p>