Trevor Noah pans Betsy DeVos on 60 Minutes. Jordan Klepper blames 60 Minutes and its 'meticulously researched' gotcha questions.
"President Trump's housing secretary doesn't know anything about housing, his environmental chief doesn't think manmade climate change is a thing, and last night we learned that his secretary of education has a lot of learning to do," Trevor Noah said on Monday's Daily Show. He played part of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos' awkward 60 Minutes interview, focusing on the part where DeVos admits to journalist Lesley Stahl that she has not intentionally visited underperforming schools to see what is going wrong. "You know the fact that she never 'intentionally' went to a bad school means she definitely walked into one by accident," Noah said. "I do feel bad for the next school she visits now, because they'll definitely know why she's there."
At The Opposition, Jordan Klepper was also disturbed by the interview, but for a different reason. "What really pisses me off is this gotcha journalism that 60 Minutes employs," he said. "If you're not familiar, 60 Minutes is a hidden-camera prank show where Lesley Stahl — their Ashton Kutcher — ambushes unsuspecting interviewees with a series of meticulously researched questions." DeVos was right to note that she is "misunderstood, like Dave Matthews lyrics or anything Matt Damon says about women," Klepper said. And "there are powerful forces out there working against DeVos, like the results of things she's done in the past."
The interview was a train wreck, he conceded, in part because "Stahl isn't just an ambush journalist, she's using Jedi mind tricks," and DeVos fell for them. He ended on-point, comparing the 60 Minutes interview with public schools. 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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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.
-
Caitlin Clark the No. 1 pick in bullish WNBA Draft
Speed Read As expected, she went to the Indiana Fever
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 16, 2024
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - sleepyhead, little people, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Trump criminal trial starts with rulings, reminder
Speed Read The first day of his historic trial over hush money payments was mostly focused on jury selection
By Rafi Schwartz, 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
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published