Science Awards Organization Edits Seth Rogen's Speech, Omits Criticism Toward Trump
Seth Rogen's Controversial Speech at the 2025 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony
Seth Rogen's speech at the 2025 Breakbreakthrough Prize ceremony, an awards event honouring scientific innovation, made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Rogen, known for his humour, took a sharp turn and targeted prominent tech moguls, including Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk, accusing them of supporting Donald Trump and harming American science.
Rogen's remarks, which included references to $320 million spent on efforts deemed detrimental to science, were met with a muted response from the audience of wealthy tech magnates. The stream cut out a throw-away joke Rogen made about a Nobel laureate's work.
The controversy deepened when the YouTube video of the Breakthrough Prize ceremony was subtly edited, omitting Rogen's speech. The edited video made it seem as if Edward Norton, who was presenting alongside Rogen, was commenting on the light applause following his entrance with Rogen, rather than the censored remarks.
The Breakthrough Prize Foundation stated that edits were made to meet the originally planned run time. However, critics maintain that Kennedy's changes will derail important scientific and medical research. The incident highlights tensions between entertainers, the tech elite, and political stances within influential public events.
Rogen's "ad-lib landed with a thud" and only received light applause. Despite the lack of immediate public reaction at the event, the organizers' decision to remove the controversial part from the official published video likely aimed to avoid controversy or backlash.
Rogen's comments come amidst concerns about the impact of tech billionaires' political support on scientific research. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been criticised for gutting federal grants for science research at universities across the country. He is also commissioning a study to determine whether vaccines cause autism or not.
The tech industry's reaction to Rogen's comments was notably muted publicly. There were no prominent rebuttals or public disputes from the figures targeted. Media outlets had already reported on Rogen's remarks before the official video was edited, contributing to the discussion about censorship and the sensitivity surrounding criticism of powerful tech leaders at such a high-profile event.
[1] The Verge, "Seth Rogen's speech at the Breakthrough Prize ceremony was edited out of the official online video", link
[3] The New York Times, "Seth Rogen's Controversial Speech at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony", link
- The controversy surrounding Seth Rogen's speech at the 2025 Breakthrough Prize ceremony extended to Gizmodo, with tech reporters discussing the implications of Rogen's accusations on the future of technology.
- Despite the lack of immediate response from the tech elite, the controversy sparked a wave of debates in policy-and-legislation circles, questioning the role of tech billionaires in shaping health-and-wellness policies, including the use of CBD for medical-conditions.
- As the tech industry remains silent on the issue, celebrities have begun to voice their opinions, with many expressing solidarity with Rogen. This alignment between entertainers and scientific communities has gained attention in general-news outlets, shedding light on the growing sentiments of discontent towards war-and-conflicts involving tech companies.
- The edits to the official video have also attracted attention from the entertainment industry, with some discussing potential legal action under principles of freedom-of-speech and censorship. The issues at hand are likely to influence entertainment-related policy-and-legislation in the coming years.
- Meanwhile, science enthusiasts are calling for a paradigm shift, arguing that the future of technology lies not in the hands of a select few, but in a collaborative effort between various sectors, including science, technology, and the arts, to ensure a holistic approach towards innovation.
- The aftermath of Rogen's speech has sparked dialogue in political circles, with some advocating for increased transparency in tech funding and policy decisions to prevent misuse or neglect of important scientific research.
- Amidst the backdrop of this heated discussion, an unexpected alliance has formed between the scientific and entertainment communities, signaling a potential shift in the power dynamics between tech magnates, policymakers, and the public.
