John Oliver is also confused why Trump won't disavow the love from Nazis after Charlottesville
John Oliver began Sunday's Last Week Tonight, sadly but predictably, with the weekend's violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, where an apparent Nazi sympathizer killed one anti-racism protester and wounded scores more during a march by white separatists. Specifically, Oliver puzzled over Trump's condemnation of the violence "on many sides," without singling out the well-armed and organized group that came to Charlottesville looking for a fight and ending, collectively, with a murder.
"On many sides?" Oliver asked. "This was a white nationalist rally, you have to call that out by name. There aren't many instances in modern American politics where you can honestly think, 'That guy really should have mentioned the Nazis,' but this is emphatically one of them. It's like a reverse Godwin's Law: if you fail to mention Nazism, you lose the argument." Trump may have tried to distance himself from the white nationalists, but they did not return the favor; neo-Nazi groups gushed over Trump's non-condemnation and former KKK grand wizard David Duke said the marchers loved Trump, voted for him, and plan to carry out their plans in his name. "I've gotta say, David Duke and the Nazis really seem to like Donald Trump," Oliver said, "which is weird because Nazis are a lot like cats: If they like you, it's probably because you're feeding them."
Most people would try to "immediately and repeatedly disavow" such an endorsement, but Trump pointedly declined to on several occasions, in effect answer the questions with his non-answer, Oliver said. Which is really puzzling. "It simply doesn't get easier than disavowing Nazis, he said. "It's as much of a presidential gimme as pardoning a f---ing turkey. It is almost impossible to screw it up." Almost. Watch below. (There is NSFW language). 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.
-
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
-
2024: the year of Black country artists
In the Spotlight Beyoncé debuted 'Cowboy Carter' at the top of the country charts, shining a spotlight on artists like Shaboozey
By Theara Coleman, 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