Live coverage: Kimmel hosts Oscars in shadow of #MeToo movement

Follow live updates throughout the night from the 90th annual Academy Awards. The show is slated to begin at 8 p.m. EST.

Oscar performance slams Trump, praises activists and ‘Dreamers’

11:25 p.m.

An Oscar performance hit a political note as hip-hop artist Common took on President Trump and the “Dreamers” debate, and praised the residents of Parkland, Fla., following the deadly school shooting that occurred there.

The power anthem “Stand Up for Something” from the movie “Marshall” features Andra Day and Common, and is nominated for best original song. However, the artists reworked some of the lyrics for their Oscars performance in light of recent events.

“On Oscar night, this is the dream we tell. A land where Dreamers live and freedom dwells. Immigrants get the benefits, we put up monuments to the feminists. Tell the NRA [National Rifle Association] they ain’t God’s way. And to the people of Parkland, we say Ase,” Common said. 

Ase is a West African philosophy that means to make things happen and produce change, a potential nod to the students who have become outspoken activists following the deadly shooting at their high school. {mosads}

“Our president that chose with hate don’t control our fate because God is great. When they go low, we stay in the heights, I stand for peace, love and women’s rights,” Common sang.

“We stand up for the Dreamers, we stand up for immigrants, we stand up against gun violence, anybody in this room if you’ve got something you believe in, we want you to stand up right now.”

Daniela Vega first openly transgender person to present at Oscars

10:29 p.m.

Daniela Vega became the first openly transgender person to present at the Academy Awards on Sunday. 

“Thank you, thank you so much for this moment. I want to invite you to open your heart and your feelings to feel the reality and to feel love. Can you feel it?” Vega said. 

The Chilean actress introduced Sufjan Stevens and St. Vincent, performing “Mystery of Love” from the Oscar-nominated film “Call Me By Your Name” at the 90th annual Academy Awards. 

Vega stars in “A Fantastic Woman,” which tells the story of a transgender singer facing discrimination. 

The film won the award for best foreign language film on Sunday. 

Vega told the Los Angeles Times that the political and social attitudes toward the transgender community are similar in the U.S. and Chile.  

“The political and social situation isn’t that much different in Chile than it is (in the U.S.), in that there is a weird feeling when it comes to transgender people in general,” Vega said. 

“We’re fighting for liberty, to be heard. I see the world is trying to change fast, but in some areas, that change is being blocked,” she said. 

Kobe Bryant: Glad we do more than ‘shut up and dribble’

10 p.m.

Retired professional basketball player Kobe Bryant said he was glad basketball players do more than “shut up and dribble” while speaking at Sunday’s Oscars ceremony.

Bryant and animator Glen Keane were accepting the award for best animated short film for their movie “Dear Basketball.”

“I don’t know if it’s possible. I mean as basketball players we’re really supposed to shut up and dribble but I’m glad we do a little bit more than that,” Bryant said. 

The former Lakers star appeared to be referring to conservative commentator Laura Ingraham’s remarks last month. She was addressing LeBron James and Kevin Durant after they criticized President Trump in an online video, saying the president doesn’t “give a f— about the people.”

“Millions elected Trump to be their coach,” Ingraham said. “So keep the political commentary to yourself, or, as someone once said, ‘shut up and dribble.’ “

Durant fired back at Ingraham, calling the remarks “racist.”

Lupita Nyong’o, Kumail Nanjiani at Oscars: We stand with ‘Dreamers’

9:36 p.m.

Lupita Nyong’o and Kumail Nanjiani made an impassioned plea for “Dreamers” at the Oscars on Sunday, telling viewers “dreams are the foundation of America.”

“We are the two actors you keep hearing about, but whose names you have trouble pronouncing,” Nyong’o, who stars in “Black Panther,” told the audience as she stood beside Nanjiani to present the award for best production design.

“We are also immigrants,” the 35-year-old actress continued. “I’m from Kenya.”

“And I am from Pakistan and Iowa: two places that nobody in Hollywood can find on a map,” quipped “The Big Sick’s” Nanjiani.

“Like everyone in this room, and everyone watching at home, we are dreamers,” Nyong’o said, appearing to reference a term frequently used to refer to recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

“We grew up dreaming of one day working in the movies,” Nyong’o said. “Dreams are the foundation of Hollywood and dreams are the foundation of America,” she added to applause at the 90th annual awards show in Los Angeles.

“And so, to all the dreamers out there,” Nanjiani said to the camera, “we stand with you.”

 

Matt Drudge: Trump’s jokes were funnier than Kimmel’s Oscars monologue

9:16 p.m.

Conservative commentator Matt Drudge fired back at Jimmy Kimmel’s Oscar monologue, saying jokes made by President Trump the night before were funnier.

“Trump jokes last night at Gridiron much funnier than Kimmel’s Oscar monologue,” Drudge tweeted. “Producers have laugh track and applause track amped up, while camera shots of audience don’t match any intensity #oscarhasnopenis.”

Trump participated in the Gridiron Club dinner on Saturday, a long-standing D.C. tradition in which presidents deliver humor-laden speeches.

Drudge’s tweet was most likely a response to a joke from Kimmel about the golden statue’s body.

“After all the awards given for achievements in show business over the years, Oscar is still No. 1,” Kimmel said.  “Oscar is the most beloved and respected man in Hollywood and there’s a reason why. Just look at him. Keeps his hands where you can see them. Never says a rude word. And most importantly, no penis at all. He is literally a statue of limitations.”

 

Kimmel: Hollywood so clueless, it made a film called ‘What Women Want’ with Mel Gibson

8:27 p.m.

Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel ripped Hollywood’s past handling of sexual misconduct, saying it was so clueless it produced a movie called “What Women Want” that starred actor Mel Gibson. 

“Here’s how clueless Hollywood is about women: We made a movie called ‘What Women Want,’ and it starred Mel Gibson,” Kimmel said, referencing the 2000 romantic comedy in which Gibson starred alongside Helen Hunt.

Gibson has been known for making a series of anti-Semitic and sexist remarks in the past. 

Hollywood was rocked by a series of sexual misconduct allegations last year after numerous women came forward to accuse prominent figures in the industry such as Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey of sexual misconduct. 

 

Lin-Manuel Miranda: ‘Keep Puerto Rico in your hearts’

8 p.m.

Actor Lin-Manuel Miranda urged Oscars viewers on Sunday to keep Puerto Rico in their hearts as the island continues to recover from Hurricane Maria.

“Keep Puerto Rico in the conversation. I know there’s no shortage of things in the news, but keep Puerto Rico in your hearts,” Miranda told ABC News on the red carpet.

“If you can go to Puerto Rico for your next vacation, hotels are open for business, tourism is the lifeline of Puerto Rico, so spend money there. I’m going back to play Hamilton in Puerto Rico in January so come see us in that and spend a lot of money when you go.”

The “Hamilton” star has played a major role in calling for aid and assistance to Puerto Rico in the aftermath of the hurricane.

Miranda headlined the Unity March for Puerto Rico in Washington, D.C. He said the core message of the rally was to let President Trump know that “we still need your help.”

The storm slammed into the island in September, leaving its residents without food, aid, and electricity. 

 

Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino arrive at Oscars together

7:40 p.m.

Two of the actresses who accused movie mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct last year, Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino, arrived at the Academy Awards red carpet together on Sunday in a show of solidarity. 

“I want people to know that this movement isn’t stopping. We’re going forward until we have an equitable and safe world for women,” Sorvino told a reporter when asked what she wants people to know about the “Time’s Up” movement, which began in the wake of the Weinstein allegations.

“What’s so spectacular about this movement is that finally, the world is able to hear,” Judd said. 

 

McCaskill tweets photos from Oscars costume party

7:10 p.m.

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) tweeted photos of her and her guests at an Oscar-themed costume party on Sunday night. 

“Ok, I’m an Oscar nerd. Have a family Oscar get together every year. Must wear costume and bring a dish based on nominated movie. I’ve included campaign staff this year. Stay tuned for pics!” the senator tweeted earlier in the day.

She later tweeted a photo of her dressed as a character from the Oscar-nominated film “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”

“I’m rooting for 3 Billboards and coming to the party as Sheriff Willoughby,” the senator tweeted.

I’m rooting for 3 Billboards and coming to the party as Sheriff Willoughby. ##Oscars2018 pic.twitter.com/EGUZxNuDCq

— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) March 4, 2018

Woody Harrelson plays Sheriff Willoughby in the dark comedy, which is nominated for seven Academy Awards, including best picture.

Harrelson is nominated for best supporting actor.

McCaskill also posted photos of some her other guests in Oscar-themed costumes.

Tonya’s mom just arrived at our family Oscar party. ( My daughter in law). pic.twitter.com/b0IMFirSEh

— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) March 4, 2018

Most imaginative so far. My sister as All the Money in the World. #oscar2018 pic.twitter.com/Z2IO8iTU6T

— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) March 4, 2018

Politics could take center stage at Sunday’s show, given the political climate in the U.S. and the “Time’s Up” and “Me Too” movements. 

Oscars set to kick off with Jimmy Kimmel as host

5 p.m.

The 2018 Academy Awards in Los Angeles could prove to be politically charged on Sunday.

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel, who has taken public stances on a slew of political issues over the past year, is hosting. Campaigns such as “Time’s Up” and “Me Too” are expected to continue to take center stage, especially on the red carpet. 

There is also the possibility that various political figures, including President Trump, could offer their takes on Hollywood’s biggest night. 

Read five ways the Oscars could get political here.