"BlacKkKlansman" is the winner of the best adapted screenplay Academy Award, delivering Spike Lee his first competitive Academy Award.
Lee started out his acceptance speech with some profanity, telling producers not to start the clock on his speech. Winners have been allotted 90 seconds for their speech from the time their names are called.
Lee read from a two-page letter that tied together history and the years 1619 and 2019, along with his own story. He also reference the 2020 presidential election in his speech, making a swipe at Trump.
“The 2020 presidential election is around the corner,” Lee said.“Let’s all mobilize, let’s all be on the right side of history, let’s choose love over hate, let’s do the right thing.
President Trump replied Monday morning, slamming Lee's speech as "racist."
The writer-director shares the award with Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Kevin Willmott.
Lee received the award from Samuel L. Jackson, who has appeared in Lee's film. Jackson ribbed Lee at the outset of his presentation along with actress Brie Larson, reciting the score of the Knicks game, who notched a rare win.