Actor TJ Miller avoids mentioning his arrest for 'slapping an Uber driver during row over Trump' as he opens the Critics' Choice Awards - but still insults the president-elect 

  • Awards host TJ Miller was arrested on Friday after ordering an Uber home
  • Uber driver claims Miller slapped him during fight over Trump, according to TMZ
  • Miller was taken arrested before he was released and given a citation
  • Earlier Sunday, Miller suggested he would address arrest in cryptic tweet
  • But he did the opposite, mentioning the 'elephant in the room' during opening monologue, before diverting the subject
  • He took another dig at Trump, saying: 'Trolls did well this year. Not the movie, the ones on the internet. One got elected president'
  • Viewers took to Twitter, calling Miller's performance 'painfully unfunny' 

TJ Miller called Donald Trump a 'troll' during his opening monologue at the Critics Choice Awards and sidestepped mentions of his arrest after he reportedly slapped an Uber driver during a heated argument about the president-elect.

Hours before he took to the stage at Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar, the comedian enticed audiences with a cryptic tweet suggesting he would address his arrest at the awards ceremony.

While Miller mentioned the 'elephant in the room' twice during his opening monologue, he dodged his own personal controversy and turned the spotlight on Trump instead.

He set the audience up by saying, 'It’s been in the news all weekend, and it’s really affected me,' before declaring: 'The election was definitely hacked by the Russians.'

Miller took another dig at Trump moments later, saying: 'Trolls did well this year. Not the movie, the ones on the internet. One got elected president.'

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Host TJ Miller appeared topless with a face painted over his torso in a bizarre entrance and was quick to mention the 'elephant in the room' before shining the spotlight on Trump instead

Miller donned a suit jacket and called Donald Trump a 'troll' while sidestepping mentions of his arrest on Friday

Hours before he took to the stage at Santa Monica Airport's Barker Hangar, the comedian enticed audiences with a cryptic tweet suggesting he would address his arrest

Pictured left, Miller with a fake neck wound alongside actor Christian Slater on Sunday. Right, Miller dressed as Jackie Kennedy, who actress Natalie Portman portrayed in the film Jackie

On Friday morning, Miller ordered an Uber after attending the GQ Men of the Year party in Los Angeles, California, and soon found himself in an argument with the driver over Trump, according to TMZ. 

When the car arrived at Miller's home, the driver claimed the Silicon Valley actor slapped him in the head, TMZ reported.

Police were called to the scene, and Miller was taken into custody before he was released and given a citation to appear in court at a later date.   

Many Trump supporters were dismayed that the actor and comedian was allowed to take on his role as host on Sunday, and Miller suggested he would clear the air.

He tweeted earlier on Sunday: 'Tonight I will address the elephant in the room at @CriticsChoice on A&E. Tune in and find out.'

But Miller did just the opposite, setting the audience up on two occasions before diverting the subject.

Miller pictured with his wife Kate Gorney at the GQ Men of the Year Awards on Friday with a fake gash on his ear. He took an Uber home after the event and was arrested after he reportedly slapped the driver in the head during an argument over Donald Trump

On Election Day, Miller tweeted: 'Please prevent @realDonaldTrump from putting his name on the White House in cheap gold'

The comedian shot to fame for his role in the HBO show Silicon Valley (pictured)

He appeared topless with a face painted over his torso in a bizarre entrance and was quick to mention the 'elephant in the room'.

But instead of acknowledging his own arrest, he declared, 'The Russians hacked the election.' 

The announcement was a reference to reports that the CIA concluded Russian hacks interfered in the elections with the goal of seeing Trump in the White House.

When Miller brought up the 'elephant' a second time, he resorted to the same tactic, saying: 'It is the 31st anniversary of the Chorus Line on Broadway.' 

He also insulted Trump by calling him a 'troll', before ending the monologue on a note of unity.

Miller pleaded with the audience, saying 'let's not be upset tonight', and made the case that 'TV and film can bring us together'.

Viewers at home took to Twitter to bash Miller's hosting performance, calling it 'cringe worthy' and 'painfully unfunny'. 

Viewers at home took to Twitter to bash Miller's hosting performance, calling it 'cringe worthy' and 'painfully unfunny'

 

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