March 5, 2025 - The buzz surrounding the 2025 Oscars has heightened media attention, especially with recent rumors swirling around actor Robert De Niro and his alleged controversial incidents at the Academy Awards. Social media has become the epicenter of these rumors, with claims about De Niro's supposed statements and his unexpected absence from the event.
Among the viral social media posts, one notable video shows De Niro declaring, "F Trump" during what viewers believed to be the Oscars. This incident, much circulated, appears to be connected to his actual remarks made at the 2018 Tony Awards, not the 2025 Academy Awards. De Niro's statement, which received considerable applause back then, showcased his political stance effectively.
According to The Guardian, the video features De Niro receiving a standing ovation on June 10, 2018, at Radio City Music Hall, where he expressed his feelings about the former president. The confusion arose, leading many to believe his comments were made recently at the Oscars, but fact-checking reveals no truth to this claim.
Adding to the intrigue, social media users began alleging various narratives, including the idea of De Niro being banned from the 2025 Oscars due to remarks against Donald Trump. These rumors were purportedly linked to Elon Musk, who was claimed to have played some role in the ban. Yet, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has made no statements confirming De Niro's absence from the ceremony, nor does any evidence support he was banned.
Notably, De Niro received significant media attention with his last nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2024 Oscars for his role in "Killers of the Flower Moon," but he was not nominated for any awards this year, eliminating any reason for exclusion from the event.
Meanwhile, another Oscar highlight came from Kieran Culkin, who won the Best Supporting Actor for his role in the comedy-drama "A Real Pain." Culkin's acceptance speech stirred conversation as he humorously revealed his wife's promise to bear him more children should he win. His candid remarks added levity to what some may describe as unexpected Oscar moments.
Culkin kicked off his speech by acknowledging Jeremy Strong, his former "Succession" co-star, who was nominated for his performance as Roy Cohn within the Donald Trump biopic “The Apprentice.” Appreciatively, Culkin remarked on Strong's performance, openly expressing, "He’s right, by the way, Jeremy, you’re amazing in The Apprentice. I love your work. It’s fing great." This portion of his speech was bleeped out during the live broadcast, prompting viewers to seek out the unedited version circulating on social media.
During his speech, Culkin humorously urged his wife, Jazz Charton, to recall her promise made years ago, stating, "About a year ago, I was on a stage like this, and I very stupidly, publicly said 'I want a third kid from her because she said if I won the award she would give me the kid.'" His onstage persona turned the personal matter around to comedic effect, joking about wanting four children instead of three, prompting laughter from the audience as he mused, "What do you say?"
The couple, married since 2013 and parents to two young children, continues to attract public interest not only for their Hollywood exploits but their charming personal life, depicted through onstage interactions. Culkin’s Oscar win marks his first, and he also scooped up awards at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), Critics’ Choice, and the Golden Globes leading up to the Academy Awards, solidifying his spot as one of the breakout stars of this award season.
Adding to the Oscar night's buzz, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel took the opportunity during his show to address some of the event's highlights and insights from the weekend. Kimmel delved humorously to comment on the now infamous Oval Office meeting between former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, labeling it "mortifying.” He implied the discomfort was palpable, especially when Trump greeted Zelenskyy by commenting on his casual attire. This fueled comedic segments, reminiscent of the safety Kimmel often finds through lampooning public figures.
While the Oscars promised glamor and entertainment, the undercurrents surrounding this year's award event spotlighted not just the triumphs, but the narratives rapidly woven through social media. The falsehoods surrounding Robert De Niro's supposed comments and Kieran Culkin's spirited speech underline the necessity for fact-checking and diligent scrutiny of sources, stirring the dialogue on celebrity influence and public perception.
The interconnectedness of events this Oscar season demonstrates how quickly the public's attention can shift, proving the current climate capable of transforming awards shows from mere celebrations of film to platforms for societal critique and cultural discussions.