Jimmy Kimmel, David Alan Grier, The Daily Show mockingly salute Trump's anti-white discrimination crusade
President Trump's Justice Department is preparing to take on universities for discrimination — against white people, according to a report Tuesday in The New York Times. On Wednesday's Jimmy Kimmel Live, Kimmel suggested that the new policy means embattled Attorney General Jeff Sessions is trying to get back on Trump's good side, then he turned to sarcasm, and a special guest. "They're taking action against affirmative action, and I say it's about time we crack down getting minorities into college," he said. "I mean, this has been going on for too long. And I'm not alone."
That was the introduction to a special message from actor and comedian David Alan Grier. "Won't you join me and Attorney General Jeff Sessions in helping to end years of unjust and immoral discrimination against white people?" Grier deadpanned. "Let's look at the facts: It all started back in the 1700s, when black people took all the seats in the slave ships for themselves." He went on in this vein for a while, keeping a straight face, then brought it back to Washington: "It's so bad that white people had no choice but to create their own all-white government, and they can't get a damn thing done. It's time for a change. It's time to give white people a chance. Call Washington — Denzel Washington — tell him it's time to end the discrimination that has kept our white brothers and sisters down for so long."
On Wednesday's Daily Show, Trevor Noah was similarly impressed with the prospective new policy. "Finally! You know how many times I go to colleges in America and say 'Hey, where's all the white people?'" he asked, rhetorically, before making a Game of Thrones joke: "If American colleges were any whiter, Jon Snow would build a wall to protect us from them." But apparently this is a thing, Noah said, citing a poll that shows 54 percent of Trump supporters believe white people face more discrimination than black people.
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.
"It's almost like when rich people complain about their financial problems," Noah said, breaking into his rich-person voice: "Do you know how high the taxes on my summer home are?" He then brought out correspondents Roy Wood Jr. and Jordan Klepper for a slightly uncomfortable point-counterpoint segment. Like Grier, Wood started out agreeing with Sessions. Watch below. Peter Weber
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 best new music of 2024 by genre
The Week Recommends Outstanding albums, from pop to electro and classical
By The Week UK Published
-
Nine best TV shows of 2024 to binge this Christmas
The Week Recommends From Baby Reindeer and Slow Horses to Rivals and Shogun, here are the critics' favourites
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: December 28, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff 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