Oscars 2020: Brad Pitt's political acceptance speech raises huge cheer

Brad Pitt won his first ever acting Oscar at the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood last night, but it was his speech that really brought the audience to its feet.

"This is incredible, really incredible," he said when he took to the stage.

“Thank you to the Academy for this honour of honours,” he began his speech.

"They told me I only had 45 seconds this year, which is 45 seconds more than the Senate gave John Bolton this week," the actor said, referring to the lack of witnesses during the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, which earned a huge cheer from his peers in the Dolby Theatre.

Read more: Oscars 2020 highlights

“I'm thinking maybe Quentin [Tarantino] does a movie about it. In the end, the adults do the right thing."

“The room had a mostly positive reaction to Pitt’s reference to the former national security adviser,” our colleagues at Yahoo Entertainment wrote. “There were lots of laughs, huge applause and the inevitable ‘oohs’. But there were also a few groans as a couple of people visibly squirmed in their seats.”

Speaking to reporters backstage, Pitt said he approached his acceptance speeches with more thought this time around and denied using a team of writers.

"Historically, I've always been really tentative about speeches," he said. "They make me nervous. So this round I figured if I'm going to do this I should put some real work into it, try to get comfortable. This is a result of that."

Pitt, who won the best supporting actor gong for his role as an ageing stuntman in Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood, added: "I have some funny friends, I have some very, very funny friends who help me with some laughs but it's got to come from the heart."

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Pitt was also asked about his political comments during his acceptance speech. The actor indicated he was unhappy at how Donald Trump's impeachment trial was handled.

"I was really disappointed with this week," Pitt said. "I think when gamesmanship trumps doing the right thing, I think it's a sad day. I don't think we should let it slide. And I'm very serious about that."

Asked if he would advise his six children to pursue an acting career, Pitt said he would have those conversations "once they're 18," adding he wanted them to "follow their passions".

And asked if he was having the "time of your life," Pitt quipped: "I hope not. I hope I've got other s*** going on."

Amid laughter in the press room, Pitt added: "But it has been a really special run and again it's a community I love and friends I've made over 30 years. They mean a lot to me, truly. I feel a responsibly to that, more than anything. More than a victory lap.

"I think it's time to go and disappear for a little while now. And get back to making things."