Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah puzzle out Trump's post-Mueller strategy of turning 'cartoon villain'
President Trump has been "living it up since the Barr report on the Mueller report totally cleared him of half the charges," Stephen Colbert said on Wednesday's Late Show. "That is a huge boost, and you can see it in his approval ratings" — which are unchanged, except that a 43 percent plurality said Mueller's report made them view Trump less favorably. "So let me get this straight," he said: "After finding out that he did not collude with the Russians, people liked him less?"
Still, after being pummeled on the Mueller investigation for two years, Trump "finally has a chance to get on America's good side," Colbert said. "Step 1: Take away everyone's health care, because Trump is trying to kill ObamaCare — again." Seriously, "how dumb is this guy?" he asked. "In the midterms he got his ass kicked because health care was the top issue for voters."
"But it's not just health care," Colbert said: Trump also wants to end aid to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico. And "if you want cartoon-villain bad," look no further than Education Secretary Betsy DeVos' plan to slash $7 billion from education programs — and cut all federal funding for the Special Olympics. "Now, obviously it would be easy to that that's evil — but it would also be accurate."
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.
Zeroing-out Special Olympics funding "just sounds mean, right?" Trevor Noah said at The Daily Show. "Because here's the thing: The $18 million that they're going to save isn't even that much money for a government. It's actually what the government spends for Trump to visit Mar-a-Lago five times. ... So at the very least, you could compromise on this issue: Send the kids to Mar-a-Lago and make Donald run for once in his life."
"In four days, Trump has gone after sick people, special-needs kids, and hurricane victims," Noah said. "I feel like right now, baby seals are like, 'Well, we had a good run, folks.'" For a different perspective on "Trump being a total a--hole," Noah brought out an expert, Michael Kosta. Watch below. Peter Weber
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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 Apprentice: will biopic change how voters see Donald Trump?
Talking Point 'Brutal' film depicts presidential candidate raping first wife Ivana, but some critics believe portrayal is surprisingly sympathetic
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Russia and Iran 'up the ante' after meeting in Turkmenistan
The Explainer Two nations talk up their closer ties but some in Tehran believe Putin 'still owes' them
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
'Kmart shelves emptied'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff 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