Trevor Noah explains how El Chapo's crazy narcotrafficking trial proves Trump's wall is pointless

Trevor Noah found quite a bit of note in the ongoing Brooklyn federal trial of Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, and a broader relevance to America's biggest ongoing fight. El Chapo's trial "has reached its halfway point, and what we've learned so far is muy loco," he said on Thursday's Daily Show. There's sex, drugs (obviously), betrayal, and allegations that he bribed the former Mexican president with $100 million. "To be fair, the Mexican president has already denied it from the deck of his $101 million yacht," he joked.
Noah ran through some of the henchmen testifying against El Chapo — The Beard, Lollipop, the IT guy — and "this IT guy is one of the biggest reasons El Chapo might be going down. And he only agreed to turn because the FBI paid him." With the government shut down, the FBI has no money to pay informants, Noah added, and "the U.S. Marshals who are guarding El Chapo? They aren't getting paid because of the shutdown. And now I'm not saying they're gonna be bribed, but if there's anyone you want to be extra careful with, it's El Chapo. This guy has escaped from prison twice already."
"Remember, the reason El Chapo became the most powerful drug lord in history is that he figured out how to smuggle more drugs across the border than anybody else, and during this trial, we've found out how he's done it," Noah said. "El Chapo was using planes, tunnels, and even submarines to smuggle drugs into the U.S. So I guess it's a good thing that Trump is building that wall! The sad thing is, even if Trump sees this trial, it won't change his mind. If anything, he'll probably just double down." Noah guessed the next barrier.
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.
In between scenes, Noah theorized that Trump doesn't actually care about the wall at all, and Democrats aren't as opposed as they seem. Watch. 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.
-
Today's political cartoons - February 23, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - loser's game, unexpected consequences, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 slow on the draw cartoons about Democrats' response to Trump
Cartoons Artists take on taking a stand, staying still as a statue, and more
By The Week US Published
-
A road trip through Zimbabwe
The Week Recommends The country is 'friendly and relaxed', with plenty to see for those who wish to explore
By The Week UK Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, 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