Mike Huckabee makes light of Zika virus while dissing Hillary Clinton


Watch out, Amy Schumer! Step aside, Jerry Seinfeld! There's a new comedian in town, and he's gunning for your slot at the Laugh Factory.
So, who is this funny guy? It's none other than Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, Republican presidential candidate, and apparent laugh-a-minute. While introducing Donald Trump at a rally Wednesday in Florida, he came armed with a joke about two very hot topics in the state: Zika virus and Hillary Clinton.
"I know Donald Trump, but I know the Clintons even better," he said. "Having been governor of Arkansas for 10-and-a-half years not long after they left, I know them well, and folks, I'm gonna tell you something: I'm a lot more afraid of a Hillary Clinton presidency than I am of getting a mosquito bite in South Florida, and we all better be worried about it." More than 400 cases of Zika virus have been reported in Florida, and the mosquito-borne illness can cause severe birth defects, including microcephaly. The joke loses its luster when you stop to think about those unfortunate statistics, so maybe Huckabee should focus on smallpox or polio during his next set. Am I right? Catherine Garcia
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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
How will the new Repayment Assistance Plan for student loans work?
the explainer The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will replace existing income-driven repayment plans
-
In the Spotlight Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been at odds with US forces
-
Music reviews: Ethel Cain, Amaarae, and The Black Keys
Feature "Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You," "Black Star," and "No Rain, No Flowers"
-
Court says labor board's structure unconstitutional
Speed Read The ruling has broad implications for labor rights enforcement in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi
-
Feds seek harsh charges in DC arrests, except for rifles
Speed Read The DOJ said 465 arrests had been made in D.C. since Trump federalized law enforcement there two weeks ago
-
Trump taps Missouri AG to help lead FBI
Speed Read Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has been appointed FBI co-deputy director, alongside Dan Bongino
-
Trump warms to Kyiv security deal in summit
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Trump's support for guaranteeing his country's security 'a major step forward'
-
DC protests as Trump deployment ramps up
Speed Read Trump's 'crusade against crime' is targeting immigrants and the homeless
-
Ukraine, European leaders to meet Trump after Putin talks
Speed Read Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week
-
Border agents crash Newsom redistricting kickoff
Speed Read Armed federal Border Patrol agents amassed outside the venue where the California governor and other Democratic leaders were gathered
-
Man charged for hoagie attack as DC fights takeover
Speed Read The Trump administration filed felony charges against a man who threw a Subway sandwich at a federal agent