How the 2017 Emmys got political
— -- From the monologue to acceptance speeches -- and even a cameo from a former White House staffer -- tonight's Emmy Awards didn't avoid politics.
A politically-packed monologue
Host Stephen Colbert didn't hold back on the president in the monologue, blaming the Emmys for inspiring President Donald Trump -- who has been nominated for Emmys multiple times in the past -- to run for president.
"If he had won an Emmy, I bet he wouldn't have run for president," Colbert quipped, telling the audience, "in some way, this is your fault."
Best of the Emmys: Moments and fashion
69th Primetime Emmy arrivals
But unlike the presidency, Colbert said, the "Emmys go to the winner of the popular vote."
Colbert also brought up some of the past times Trump has fumed over his Emmy losses, including during one of 2016’s presidential debates with Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
Colbert even brought up an old tweet from Trump, in which Trump slammed the performance of 2014 Emmys host Seth Meyers for having "marbles in his mouth," before cutting to Meyers sitting in this year's Emmys audience with actual marbles spilling out of his mouth.
A Sean Spicer cameo
Former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer made an appearance on the Emmys stage with a mock podium, calling tonight’s Emmys audience “the largest audience to witness" an Emmys "period" -- all while Melissa McCarthy, who portrayed him on "SNL," sat in the audience.
John Lithgow thanks Winston Churchill
John Lithgow, who won the Emmy tonight for supporting actor in a drama series for his role of Winston Churchill in Netflix's series "The Crown," thanked the former British Prime Minister himself.
"In these crazy times, his life, even as an old man, reminds us what courage and leadership in government really looks like," Lithgow said.
Kate McKinnon thanks Hillary Clinton
Kate McKinnon, who won her second consecutive Emmy for supporting actress in a comedy series for "Saturday Night Live," also thanked the politician she portrayed.
"Thank you to Hillary Clinton for your grace and grit," McKinnon said on stage, after calling being part of this season of "SNL" the "most meaningful thing I will ever do."
McKinnon later told reporters after her win, "I'm certainly a great admirer of hers [Clinton] and I hope that it's mutual. I think that it is!"
"It's just been the greatest honor of my life and the greatest role I've gotten to play," McKinnon said.
Alec Baldwin: 'At long last, Mr. President, here is your Emmy'
As Alec Baldwin took the stage to accept the Emmy for his portrayal of Trump on "SNL," the actor quipped, "at long last, Mr. President, here is your Emmy."
Backstage at the Emmys, "SNL" creator Lorne Michaels told reporters that the show is broadcast in all 50 states so "not all of them are going to agree with what you're doing."
"If you seem to have a clear bias, I think people stop listening," he said. "So I think ... whoever's in power should be questioned, and that's sort of what we do."
ABC News' Michael Rothman contributed to this report.
