Trevor Noah and Stephen Colbert lampoon Trump's galling dereliction of duty in France and California
"This last week has not been a good one for the president," Trevor Noah said on Monday's Daily Show, comparing President Trump's two years in office to "airplane WiFi — there are moments when it seems to be working but most of the time it's complete trash." Trump's bad week began on Wednesday, when he replaced "his house elf" Jeff Sessions with an acting attorney general so unqualified Trump blatantly lied about not knowing him. "You know, sometimes Trump lies so hard he gives my brain whiplash," Noah said. "He's like Newton's third law: For every Trump there is an equal and opposite Trump."
Trump also got blowback for lying about the cause of California's wildfires. "But he had a chance to put all of this behind him in France, where the president traveled to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I," Noah said. "All he had to do was show up for a ceremony at an American cemetery to honor the World War I troops. Super easy — but apparently, not easy enough." He canceled, citing the rain. "So the president's helicopter can't fly in the rain?" Noah asked. "What, does the helicopter have to keep its hair dry, too?"
"Well, you can't blame him — he's only got one umbrella, and he couldn't figure out how to bring it on the plane," Stephen Colbert joked at The Late Show. "Trump did attend the ceremonies yesterday, but the other leaders said mean things," like French President Emmanuel Macron, who criticized nationalism as a betrayal of patriotism. "I just want to point out that a man gave a speech about the importance of moral values, and everyone assumes he was insulting our president," Colbert said.
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.
Colbert also savaged Trump for his "blame the victim" response to the California fires. This includes a terrible Axl Rose impersonation. 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 Duchy Files: how bad is the scandal for King Charles?
Today's Big Question Making millions in rent from the NHS and armed forces a 'PR disaster' for royal family
By The Week UK Published
-
'A stark choice'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Vietnamese migrants crossing the Channel
The Explainer 2024 has seen a surge in the numbers of Vietnamese migrants making the illegal passage into the UK
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK 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
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published