If you hated Ted Cruz's reaction to San Bernardino, you'll love Trevor Noah's takedown

Trevor Noah has some questions about Ted Cruz

(Image credit: The Daily Show)

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

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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.