Hollywood's Silence: Entertainment Industry Under Trump 2.0

When the Golden Globes kicked off on January 11th at five in the afternoon, the eyes and ears of the United States—and by extension, the world—turned toward Nikki Glaser. The awards show host was nearly unknown in 2025 when she first presented the gala, but her agility and wit then placed her among the country's most appreciated comedians and secured her return for this year's ceremony.

However, the United States is a different country after 12 months of Donald Trump back in power. With hot-button issues like Greenland, Iran, Venezuela, immigration enforcement operations, and protests against his administration, Glaser had ample material to address. Yet, the comedian smiled, poked fun at Leonardo DiCaprio and the age of his girlfriends—for the umpteenth time—and while she delivered a handful of good jokes, she barely uttered a word about the delicate and complex national situation.

The ceremony unfolded against a backdrop of significant national events. Glaser's set included a joke about the CBS network and the quality of its news coverage, as well as a quip about an award for "best editing for the Department of Justice" regarding the Epstein papers. Despite these moments, the overall tone was one of restraint.

The audience reaction was one of surprise, though perhaps it shouldn't have been. The entertainment industry has been navigating a new landscape since the return of the Trump administration. While the Golden Globes chose a path of caution, other corners of the media world have taken different approaches.

• Hosts like Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel have continued political commentary
• Programs such as 'South Park' have directly confronted the administration
• Major awards ceremonies have opted for a more neutral stance

The 2026 Golden Globes demonstrated a marked shift in how Hollywood's biggest night approaches political discourse. In previous years, awards shows often served as platforms for social and political commentary. This year, however, the approach was markedly different.

The entertainment industry's relationship with political power has always been complex, but the current climate appears to have prompted a recalibration. While individual creators and shows continue to engage with political themes, the collective voice of major awards ceremonies has grown quieter.

With issues as hot as Greenland, Iran, Venezuela, or the operations of immigration police and protests against him, Glaser had much to talk about.

This silence is not necessarily an absence of opinion, but rather a strategic choice in a polarized environment. The entertainment industry, like many other sectors, is navigating how to maintain relevance while avoiding alienating segments of its audience.

The Golden Globes ceremony exists within a larger media ecosystem that includes late-night television, streaming platforms, and traditional broadcast networks. Each of these spaces has responded differently to the current political moment.

While Nikki Glaser chose restraint at the Globes, other comedians and commentators have maintained more direct approaches. The diversity of responses across different media platforms reflects the varied strategies within the entertainment industry.

The Department of Justice and other government entities have become subjects of media attention in ways that extend beyond traditional political coverage. Entertainment programming has found ways to reference these developments, sometimes through satire, sometimes through more direct commentary.

The 2026 Golden Globes may represent a new normal for awards season in the current political era. The ceremony's approach suggests that major entertainment events may prioritize celebration over commentary, at least for now.

This strategic silence doesn't necessarily indicate agreement or approval of any political administration. Rather, it may reflect a calculated decision to keep awards shows as spaces for entertainment rather than political battlegrounds.

The entertainment industry continues to evolve its relationship with political discourse. While some platforms maintain direct commentary, others choose more subtle approaches or complete avoidance of political topics.

The Golden Globes 2026 ceremony demonstrated that Hollywood's approach to political discourse is in flux. The industry appears to be recalibrating how it engages with the current political moment.

As the entertainment industry continues to navigate this landscape, audiences can expect to see continued variation in how different platforms and shows address—or avoid—political topics. The silence at the Golden Globes may be just one chapter in an ongoing story of how entertainment and politics intersect.

What remains clear is that the relationship between Hollywood and political power continues to evolve, with each awards season offering a new snapshot of this complex dynamic.