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.
-
'Although deepfake porn is a global problem, South Korea has been hit particularly hard'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The deadliest plane crashes in US history
The Explainer American Eagle Flight 5342 was the first deadly U.S. passenger crash since 2009
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
How Elon Musk is transforming American government
Talking Points Trump's ally is moving 'with lightning speed'
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US 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