Trump hits out at ‘lowest rated’ Oscars in belated tweet

US President Donald Trump tweeted about the “lowest rated” Oscars, more than a day after the ceremony, which was highlighted by the #metoo movement against sexual harassment and a few jokes about him.

“We don’t have stars anymore - except your President (just kidding, of course!),” the erstwhile reality television personality said in his morning tweet.

The Hollywood Reporter said this year’s nearly-four hour ceremony hit an all-time low of 26.5 million viewers, a 19 per cent drop from previous years.

The telecast in 2008 was the last low, but it was still 5 million viewers ahead of 2018.

Late-night television programme host Jimmy Kimmel was emceeing the event for the second year in a row and took a few swipes at the President, to which he may have been responding to in his belated tweet.

Mr Kimmel said “none other than President Trump called ‘Get Out’ the best first three-quarters of a movie this year,” about the Best Picture nominee and winner for Best Original Screenplay horror movie about a black man meeting the family of his white girlfriend.

After Icarus, a film about Russian athletes and doping, won Best Documentary Mr Kimmel quipped: “Well, now at least we know [Russian President Vladimir] Putin didn’t rig this competition”.

Mr Trump’s campaign team is still being investigated by the FBI and Congress for alleged collusion with Russian officials during the 2016 election.

Several actors like Lupita Nyong’o and Best Director winner Guillermo del Toro made comments about so-called Dreamers, or people brought into the US illegally as children, being accepted and making their mark in American society.

Mr Trump has been arguing over a policy on allowing the nearly 800,000 Dreamers to stay legally in the country since many are enrolled in school or working and paying taxes.

There was also Best Actress winner Frances McDormand’s stirring speech on respect for women and gender equality in the industry as Mr Trump faces 19 women alleging sexual harassment and misconduct on his part.

Conservatives across Hollywood and politics were ecstatic about the low ratings.

Actor James Woods tweeted: “Sad. How can Hollywood stop itself from alienating its audience?”

Bill Mitchell, a radio host and staunch supporter of the President, wrote on Twitter: “The American people are no longer interested in Hollywood pontificating about their liberal politics”.

Mr Trump likely tweeted about the low ratings this morning since it was discussed on his preferred-viewing programme, Fox and Friends.