If you hated Ted Cruz's reaction to San Bernardino, you'll love Trevor Noah's takedown
On Thursday's Daily Show, Trevor Noah took a long, hard look at Sen. Ted Cruz, the No. 2 Republican presidential candidate in the most recent polls. Noah started with Cruz's reaction to Wednesday's mass shooting in San Bernardino, California: Holding a "Second Amendment party" at an Iowa shooting range. "Fourteen people just lost their lives in a shooting, and Ted Cruz's first thought is: 'Oh, that reminds me — got to send out my invites to my gun party!'" Noah said. "Yeah, that seems like something you'd only do if you were an a—hole — which, it turns out, is exactly what voters are looking for."
That was Noah's transition to talking about Cruz's surge in the polls. "I don't get it: Everyone who knows Ted Cruz seems to hate him," he said, playing a highlight reel of people talking about how everybody hates Ted Cruz — or in the case of Cruz's college roommate, how much he hates Cruz. Noah looked for supporting evidence in some of Cruz's recent speeches and interviews, and found plenty. "You know, Ted Cruz reminds me of Pepé Le Pew, the skunk," he said. "Because even when he thinks he's being charming, he's just being even more creepy." But Noah did find one redeeming quality about the junior senator from Texas: "You know, maybe Ted Cruz is the leader that America needs. I mean, he's the first person in recent memory who's been able to unite people of both parties — in their hatred of him." There is some NSFW language, but if that doesn't bother you, 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 disconnect between actual health care and the insurance model is widening'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Cautious optimism surrounds plans for the world's first nuclear fusion power plant
Talking Point Some in the industry feel that the plant will face many challenges
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Explore new worlds this winter at these 6 enlightening museum exhibitions
The Week Recommends Discover the estrados of Spain and the connection between art and chess in various African countries
By Catherine Garcia, 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
-
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