Tipsheet

Oscar Kickoff: Kimmel Calls Trump Racist

Jimmy Kimmel wasted no time getting political as host at this year’s Academy Awards on Sunday night, taking a few direct digs at President Trump during his opening monologue.

“I want to thank Donald Trump,” Kimmel said. “Remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist?”

A few minutes later, Kimmel ribbed French actress Isabelle Huppert, nominated for her performance in the movie Elle.

“I’m glad homeland security let you in,” he said. “We don’t discriminate based on religion,” he added, “we discriminate against them based on their age and weight.”

Kimmel also asked the theater to give a random round of applause to Meryl Streep, who gave a now infamous anti-Trump speech at last month’s Golden Globes.