Ben Stiller Says Comedy Faces a “Challenging” Climate Under Trump 2.0

Image Source: The Kennedy Center

Ben Stiller, the actor and filmmaker known for Zoolander, Meet the Parents, and the Apple TV series Severance, believes comedy is going through a tough time in today’s climate — especially in what he called the era of Trump 2.0.

In a recent interview with Radio Times magazine, Stiller opened up about the state of comedy and why he thinks it’s become more difficult for comedians to take risks. “We live in a world where taking chances with comedy is more challenging. You’re seeing that front and center in our country,” he said. He added that while the environment feels restrictive, it’s crucial for comedians to keep pushing boundaries, speak truth to power, and say what they believe, even when it’s uncomfortable to do so.

Stiller’s comments come amid wider debates about censorship and sensitivity in the entertainment industry. His remarks follow the recent suspension of Jimmy Kimmel by Disney, after the late-night host made controversial remarks about the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Kimmel’s brief removal from ABC sparked a wave of support from Hollywood, including from Stiller himself, who wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “This isn’t right.”

The 58-year-old comedian and director also mentioned that this cautious environment isn’t new to him. Over the years, he’s faced similar pressure regarding his own work. One example is the 2001 film Zoolander, which includes a cameo by Donald Trump and Melania Trump in a red-carpet scene where Trump says, “Without Derek Zoolander, male modeling wouldn’t be what it is today.” Stiller revealed that some people have urged him to remove the scene, but he refused. “I’ve had people reach out to me and say, ‘You should edit Donald Trump out of Zoolander,’ but at the end of the day, that was a time that existed and that happened,” he explained.

Stiller’s take isn’t just about politics. He also pointed to how social media and shortened attention spans have made comedy riskier than ever. “You have things that go out to huge audiences very quickly… I think we’ve reduced our attention spans down a little bit. I feel lucky to have grown up in the analogue world,” he said. His observation reflects a common frustration among artists who feel that instant outrage and online backlash often overshadow creative expression.

The actor was speaking to promote his new Apple TV+ documentary, Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost, which celebrates the careers of his parents, legendary comedy duo Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara. In discussing the project, he reflected on how his parents’ generation of comedians approached their craft with boldness and authenticity — qualities he believes are increasingly difficult to maintain in today’s polarized cultural climate.

Ultimately, Stiller’s message is clear: while comedy has always involved taking risks, the balance between freedom and fear feels especially precarious now. Yet, he insists that comedians must continue to challenge power structures and defend creative expression — because, as he put it, “That’s the most important thing.”

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