Ben Stiller’s Candid Advice for Comedians Navigating a Political Comedy Climate Under Trump’s Second Term

mBen Stiller has weighed in on comedy under President Donald Trump and today’s political climate. Yep, the guy who gave us Tropic Thunder. In a recent chat with Radio Times magazine (yeah, he was promoting his Apple TV doc Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost, which is about his legendary comedian parents), Ben Stiller didn’t hold back about the current state of comedy. And honestly? His take is both frustrating and weirdly inspiring.

Ben Stiller Speaks Out on Comedy Today

Stiller said on Radio Times, “We live in a world where taking chances with comedy is more challenging,” Stiller told the magazine. “You’re seeing that front and center in our country.” And he’s not wrong. The guy who literally made a career out of pushing boundaries and making us laugh at the absurd is now openly acknowledging what many in Hollywood have been whispering about.

Comedy in Trump’s second term? It’s walking on eggshells, and those eggshells are on fire. But here’s where it gets interesting. Despite acknowledging how tough things are, Ben Stiller isn’t throwing in the towel. Instead, he’s doubling down on why comedy matters now more than ever. 

The Hollywood Reporter quoted Ben Stiller saying, “But I think it’s important that comedians keep doing what they’re doing, speaking truth to power and being free to say what they want. That’s the most important thing.” There’s something almost defiant about that statement, isn’t there? It’s not just advice—it’s a rallying cry.

Tropic Thunder especially pushed boundaries in ways that probably wouldn’t fly if it came out today. And that’s kind of Stiller’s point. The space for risky, boundary-pushing comedy has shrunk considerably. But Stiller’s also shown he’s not afraid to use his platform for what he believes in.

Comedy in 2025: It’s Complicated

He openly supported Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election, even speaking at Oprah Winfrey’s Unite For America call. He’s been vocal about his opposition to Trump’s policies. And now he’s using his voice to encourage other comedians to keep pushing forward.

In an era where late-night hosts are getting suspended (looking at you, Jimmy Kimmel situation) and everyone’s second-guessing their punchlines, Stiller’s basically saying: don’t back down. And speaking of the Jimmy Kimmel mess—remember when Disney briefly yanked Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air last month? That whole situation started when Kimmel made comments about the Charlie Kirk tragedy during his September 15 episode.

The backlash was swift, with FCC chair Brendan Carr weighing in, and suddenly Kimmel was off the air. Ben Stiller was among the Hollywood heavyweights who called out the suspension, simply posting on X: “This isn’t right.” Short, sweet, and to the point. Classic Stiller.

Here’s a fun twist in this whole story. Some people have apparently reached out to Ben Stiller, suggesting he should edit Donald Trump out of the original Zoolander. Trump had a cameo appearance in which he said one line: “Without Derek Zoolander, male modeling wouldn’t be what it is today.” Stiller’s response? Basically, “not happening.”

What Makes Comedy “Challenging” Under Trump?

When Ben Stiller says taking chances with comedy is more challenging now, what does that actually mean? Well, we’re seeing it play out in several ways. First, there’s the obvious political pressure. Trump’s second term has brought increased scrutiny on entertainment and media, with the administration not shy about calling out shows or hosts they disagree with.

That creates a climate where networks and producers are naturally more cautious. Second, there’s the audience fragmentation. Comedy that lands with one group immediately alienates another. The cultural divide has gotten so wide that even trying to find common comedic ground feels impossible sometimes.

And third, there’s the very real consequence of speaking out. The Jimmy Kimmel suspension wasn’t just a slap on the wrist—it was a clear message about what happens when you cross certain lines. That kind of thing doesn’t go unnoticed by other comedians.

While Stiller’s been doing more television work lately (he’s an executive producer on the Emmy-winning Severance, which is absolutely brilliant if you haven’t watched it), his comedy legacy is undeniable. Zoolander, Zoolander 2, Tropic Thunder, the Night at the Museum franchise, Meet the Parents, Meet the Fockers—the list goes on. These weren’t safe comedies.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, comedy isn’t just about making people laugh (though that’s obviously important). It’s about questioning authority, pointing out absurdities, and giving people permission to see the world differently. When that function gets suppressed or self-censored, we all lose something important. Stiller’s right that we’re living through a particularly challenging moment for comedy. But his advice to comedians—keep speaking truth to power, stay free, don’t back down—feels more necessary than ever.