Outrage Erupts After Comedian Kumail Naniani’s Holocaust Joke At Oscars

Hollywood’s biggest night was marred by controversy after a comedian delivered a Holocaust joke during Sunday’s presentation of the 2026 Oscars.

Pakistani actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani sparked an online firestorm after cracking a joke while presenting the award for Best Live Action Short Film. He began by quipping that the award show wouldn’t run as long if some of the top movies were made into short films instead. “There is a real art to make a short film. I think many full-length movies would do just as well if not better as short films,” he began. “We should take some of these feature films, remake them as shorts. Save us some time.”

He swapped “It’s A Wonderful Life for “It’s A Wonderful Month” and “The King’s Speech” to “The King’s Tweet.” His last movie title edit didn’t land.

Oscars presenter Kumail Ali Nanjiani slammed for Schindler’s List joke https://t.co/pc5b0HeMX1

— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) March 16, 2026

Nanjiani immediately triggered backlash online when he switched “Schindler’s List” to “Schindler’s Post-it.”

Comments on X included, “That was a CHEAP Leftist #antisemitic comment by this fuck, Kumail Nanjiani… Schindler’s Post-It. Don’t invite him back @TheAcademy,” and “Can’t say that Schindler’s List joke was uh in any good taste!”

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: Kumail Nanjiani attends the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Another social media expressed outrage over the comment, largely viewed by internet users as being an antisemitic remark.

“Award for short films introduction joked about making long films shorter eg: included the joke “Schindlers Post-Its” How the fuck can they let this shit out? Who paid for that?” the person wrote on X.(RELATED: Kids Show Influencer Ms. Rachel Breaks Down In Tears While Conjuring Up Excuse For Liking Post Alleging Jewish Control)

Naniani has not addressed the online criticism.