Rand Paul awkwardly eats soul food with Larry Wilmore, finally jabs at Donald Trump
"I'm a man of simple desires," Larry Wilmore said on Monday's Nightly Show. "All I want to do is eat soul food with every single person running for president." That's been a mixed bag for past "Soul-Food Sit-Down" candidates Lincoln Chafee, who subsequently dropped out of the race, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who's in first or second place for the Democratic nomination. But Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) bravely stepped up to sit down and try not to talk with food in his mouth for Monday's installment. Wilmore, who does eat while dishing out rapid-fire questions, asked Paul about his criminal justice reform plans, guns, his "black hair" regimen, and why fellow medical doctor Ben Carson is beating him in the GOP polls. But he largely focused on Donald Trump.
After trying to get Paul to zing Trump with a "yo mama" joke — "I need better writers," Paul said gamely, after failing to land a punch line — Wilmore asked him if he hates Trump. "I love Donald Trump," Paul said. "I think he's hilarious." That earned the senator some "weak tea" bags, but Wilmore pressed on, asking Paul if he would agree to be Trump's running mate. "It would be an utter and absolute disaster, and I would want no part of it," Paul said, earning a "Keeping it 100" sticker. With Paul finally at ease, the segment ended. This probably won't help Paul's campaign much, but he deserves credit for sitting down with Wilmore — and when the cameras stopped, hopefully he was at least able to enjoy his meal. 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.
-
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