Trevor Noah referees the Trump-Obama race we're finally getting to watch


A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
We'll never really know if President Trump could have beat former President Barack Obama in a race — "not a foot race, we know the answer to that question," Trevor Noah clarified on Monday's Daily Show. "But thanks to this year's midterms elections, we get to see what a race between the two of them might have been like." Obama swung first, noting that the great economy started under his watch. "And you know Donald Trump's not gonna stand by and let someone take credit for their own achievements," Noah said, so Trump pushed back "with flair" and, um, bullet points?
"Seeing Trump and Obama back-to-back really shows the contrast between these two," Noah said. "They couldn't be more different. It's like night and day, like ebony and anarchy." He showed some examples. "While most people would prefer a president who's articulate and has a command of the issues, there are times when you have to admit it's definitely more fun to watch Trump," he added. "I could honestly listen to Trump try to say 'anonymous' for the rest of my life."
"Look, I'll be honest, I don't know why Obama's wasting his intellect on Trump," Noah said. "We're living in Trump's world now, right? This is not the time for some well-crafted speech that appeals to our higher nature, this is time for a roast, Obama! Obama should just be on the campaign trail dissing Trump every day, because Trump knows how to deal with nerds. But what he can't handle is swag." He tried out some Trump zingers in Obama's voice.
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.
Noah also addressed the Serena Williams imbroglio at the U.S. Open, and the "convoluted conversation" about whether she was treated the same as male tennis players. "It's got to be equal one way or the other," he said. "Either everyone fights or everyone gets punished." He voted for fighting. Watch below. Peter Weber
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Peter Weber is a senior editor at TheWeek.com, and has handled the editorial night shift since the website launched in 2008. A graduate of Northwestern University, Peter has worked at Facts on File and The New York Times Magazine. He speaks Spanish and Italian and plays bass and rhythm cello in an Austin rock band. Follow him on Twitter.
-
Microscopic items
Cartoons
By The Week Staff Published
-
The daily gossip: Chevy Chase says 'Community' wasn't 'funny enough' for him, Golden Globes to add a category for blockbuster movies, and more
The daily gossip: September 26, 2023
By Brendan Morrow Published
-
Equality
Cartoons
By The Week Staff Published
-
Exodus begins from Burning Man after desert mud trapped tens of thousands
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
'Margaritaville' singer Jimmy Buffett dies at 76
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
American Airlines suing website that offers tickets via price loopholes
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Federal agencies investigating near miss between Southwest jet and private plane
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Euphoria' star Angus Cloud dies at 25
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens dies at 70
Speed Read
By Brendan Morrow Published
-
Trader Joe's recalls 4 products in a week amid reports of rocks and insects inside food
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Emmys to be postponed for first time since after 9/11 due to strikes
Speed Read
By Brendan Morrow Published