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
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 - November 24, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - taped bananas, flying monkeys, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Spanish cop, 20 million euros and 13 tonnes of cocaine
In the Spotlight Óscar Sánchez Gil, Chief Inspector of Spain's Economic and Tax Crimes Unit, has been arrested for drug trafficking
By The Week UK Published
-
5 hilarious cartoons about the rise and fall of Matt Gaetz
Cartoons Artists take on age brackets, backbiting, and more
By 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
-
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