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Former President Donald Trump is known for attacking a show’s ratings and boasting about the ratings of his own televised appearances. This week, Trump commented on the ratings received by this year’s Academy Awards, criticizing the ceremony for leaning into political correctness.
Shortly after the Academy Awards aired, Trump issued a statement commenting on the ratings of the ceremony. The former president criticized the award-giving body for calling the show the Oscars than the Academy Awards. It should be noted that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences refers to the ceremony as the Academy Awards, but AMPAS and ABC described the ceremony as the Oscars.
“What used to be called the Academy Awards, and is now called the ‘Oscars’ -- a far less important and elegant name -- had the lowest Television Ratings in recorded history, even much lower than last year, which set another record low. If they keep with the current ridiculous formula, it will only get worse -- if that’s possible,” said Trump in the statement sounding similar to how he posts on Twitter.
The former president added that the ceremony should be named the Academy Awards and that television officials spend their time thinking of how to best promote the Democratic party. Trump has often criticized the award ceremony, including the 2020 awards, where the South Korean film “Parasite” won Best Picture. During a rally, Trump questioned what the movie was about, and added that the US has trade conflicts with South Korea.
This year’s award ceremony had 10.4 million viewers tuning in. It was a record low according to final Nielsen numbers that were released Tuesday. Commentators on right-wing networks have often criticized the ceremony for the speeches relating to political statements.
In other news, Trump also attacked South Korean President Moon Jae-in this week while touting his friendship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Under Trump, relations between the US and South Korea were frayed as the now-former president accused the country of trying to rip off the US. Trump said that Moon was a weak president and negotiator and accused Seoul of treating the US “like fools for decades” and adding that he paid South Korea billions for military presence in the region.
