Jimmy Kimmel's Poker Face at 2025 Emmys: Woke Jokes Spark Buzz
The Emmy Awards 2025: A Night of Gaffes, Glamour, and Politically Charged Jokes
Last night's Emmy Awards ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles was a whirlwind of drama, humor, and thinly veiled barbs aimed at none other than Donald Trump. The evening saw a string of surprises, from Bryan Cranston's sassy joke about Tom Hanks to Jimmy Kimmel's stoic reaction, which left many wondering if he'd gotten the punchline.
The star-studded ceremony began with Cranston, 69, presenting the award for Outstanding Talk Series. But what happened next was nothing short of fireworks. In a move that left the audience in stitches and Trump supporters bewildered, Cranston cheekily referred to Hanks as a "destructive woke degenerate." The joke was, of course, aimed squarely at Trump's recent tirade against the two-time Oscar winner.
For those who may have missed it, Trump had blasted Hanks on his Truth Social platform just last week, labeling him a "destructive" and "woke" individual after West Point abruptly canceled a ceremony honoring Hanks with the prestigious Sylvanus Thayer Award. The award, typically given to individuals for honoring the West Point motto of 'Duty, Honor, Country,' was set to recognize Hanks' outstanding contributions to military-themed films like Saving Private Ryan and Apollo 13.
But when Cranston took the stage, he didn't let the moment pass without a snarky remark. "From the learned and inspirational guests like Neil deGrasse Tyson to the destructive woke degenerates like Tom Hanks," he began his introduction of the nominees, leaving many in attendance giggling uncontrollably.
Meanwhile, Kimmel, who was seated beside his wife Molly McNearney, gave little reaction other than a tight smile before shifting uncomfortably in his seat. It was clear that he'd either not gotten the joke or was trying to maintain a poker face – but one thing's for sure: it sparked a flurry of chatter on social media.
"OMG, did Bryan Cranston just diss Tom Hanks as a 'woke degenerate'?" exclaimed one Twitter user, while another quipped, "The number of people on this app who didn't understand that Bryan Cranston sarcastically referring to Tom Hanks as a 'woke degenerate' was an anti-Trump joke is a little disturbing..."
But the drama wasn't limited to just the awards themselves. Earlier this month, West Point had announced plans to honor Hanks with the Sylvanus Thayer Award, but then abruptly canceled the event without rescheduling it. According to reports, the academy cited a desire to focus on preparing future officers for their military service.
However, many are left wondering if there's more to the story. Insiders claim that Trump's administration has been cracking down on what they deem "woke" initiatives in the military – including diversity programs and name changes to bases honoring Confederate leaders. The recent cancellation of Hanks' award may be just another example of this effort.
In fact, Trump recently signed an executive order changing the Department of Defense (DOD) back to the Department of War, citing concerns that the DOD name was too "woke." And under Pete Hegseth's watch as Under Secretary of Army for Personnel and Readiness, diversity initiatives have been rolled back throughout the military.
As for Hanks, he's no stranger to controversy. A longtime supporter of Democratic candidates and causes, Hanks has previously served as a national spokesperson for the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, during the Biden administration.
In the end, it was Stephen Colbert's The Late Show that took home the award for Outstanding Talk Series – but the real winner last night may have been Cranston's spot-on joke and Trump's ongoing public feud with Hanks. As one Twitter user aptly put it: "That joke will go right over MAGA heads..."
The 2025 Emmy Awards Winners
- Best Drama Series: The Pitt
- Best Actor in a Drama Series: Noah Wyle - The Pitt
- Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Katherine LaNasa
- Best Actress in a Drama Series: Britt Lower - Severance
- Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Tramell Tillman - Severance
- Best Limited or Anthology Series: Adolescence
- Best Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Stephen Graham - Adolescence
- Best Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Owen Cooper - Adolescence
- Best Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Erin Doherty - Adolescence
- Best Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Cristin Milioti - The Penguin
And the rest of the winners are...
- Best Comedy Series: The Studio
- Best Actor in a Comedy Series: Seth Rogen - The Studio
- Best Directing for a Comedy Series: Seth Rogen - The Studio
- Best Writing for a Comedy Series: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, Frida Perez
- Best Actress in a Comedy Series: Jean Smart - Hacks
- Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Hannah Einbinder - Hacks
- Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Jeff Hiller - Somebody Somewhere
- Outstanding Variety Special (Live): SNL 50: The Anniversary Special
It's clear that last night's Emmy Awards ceremony was more than just an awards show – it was a platform for stars to speak their minds and poke fun at the politics of the day. Whether you're Team Trump or Team Hanks, one thing's for sure: the drama is far from over!
