Trevor Noah offers 3 good reasons you should donate to Puerto Rico, cuts Trump some slack
"Due to Hurricane Maria, much of Puerto Rico has no running water, limited gas, and no power," Trevor Noah said on Thursday's Daily Show, "and although having no power may be okay for Democrats, it's not okay for an island full of people." Noah joked that President Trump at least knows Puerto Rico is located in a very big ocean, but said he knows what Trump was trying to say — it is harder to get aid to an island — and suggested that America could solve a lot of its Trump-related problems if it just got an English language translator for the president, like it does for foreign leaders.
Trump's response to the brutal aftermath of Maria hasn't been perfect, but Puerto Rico has bigger problems, Noah said, noting that containers of aid are stranded at San Juan's docks. "Wait a second, Puerto Rico just needs some truck drivers?" he asked. "Maybe Trump can help after all, huh? Come on, he spent his whole presidency learning to drive trucks and finally it paid off!" Seriously, "in Trump's defense," Noah said, "the federal government is responding to the crisis." But more needs to be done, on the federal and personal level.
Half of the U.S. doesn't know Puerto Ricans are Americans, which matters because those who do know are more supportive of relief efforts. And after three massive hurricanes, Americans are suffering from donor fatigue. But that's no excuse "for letting Puerto Rico slip through the cracks," Noah said. "Don't think of it as a donation, think of it as paying Puerto Rico back for all they've given us: 'Despacito,' Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jennifer Lopez." He suggested a $1 donation for anyone who's listened to the song, enjoyed Hamilton, or fantasized about J-Lo, then took out his checkbook. Watch below. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The Spanish cop, 20 million euros and 13 tonnes of cocaine
In the Spotlight Óscar Sánchez Gil, Chief Inspector of Spain's Economic and Tax Crimes Unit, has been arrested for drug trafficking
By The Week UK Published
-
5 hilarious cartoons about the rise and fall of Matt Gaetz
Cartoons Artists take on age brackets, backbiting, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The future of X
Talking Point Trump's ascendancy is reviving the platform's coffers, whether or not a merger is on the cards
By The Week UK Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published