Trevor Noah thinks Taylor Swift's politics trump Kanye West's MAGAism, rains on Trump's Kavanaugh victory parade
"These days, a celebrity voicing their political opinion is like climate change," Trevor Noah said on Tuesday's Daily Show: "It's happening every day, and most people ignore it. But there are still some celebrities who simply cannot be ignored." That category includes MAGA fanboy Kanye West, of course. "Yes, the right has a new favorite rapper, so step aside ... nobody," Noah joked. "Republicans have been celebrating the second coming of Yeezus as one of their own, but yesterday Democrats said 'Uh hey, Republicans, Imma let you finish but we just got one of the best endorsements of all time.'"
Taylor Swift essentially endorsing two Tennessee Democrats "is a really big deal, because you realize until now, Taylor Swift has stayed as far away from politics as she does from rhythm," Noah joked. "If anyone can get young people to vote, it's the woman who somehow got young people to buy physical CDs because she wasn't on Spotify." He highlighted President Trump's hilariously "weird" response to Swift's political coming-out and had some pithy advice for pro-Swift Republicans.
When Noah's audience had a negative reaction to Justice Brett Kavanaugh's name, he offered a spot-on Barack Obama imitation: "Uh, don't boo, vote." He played a bit of Trump's unusual prime-time ceremonial swearing-in ceremony, where Trump apologized to Kavanaugh on behalf of America and told some whoppers about the resolution of Kavanaugh's sexual assault allegations. "Proven innocent?" Noah said. "Okay, that's obviously not what happened. You can't just replace what actually happened with what you wished happened." He suggested a twist on the mistaken-identity theory.
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.
Kavanaugh pledged to let bygones be bygones but Noah wasn't convinced: "I mean, he's saying nice things, but in the same way that a waiter is 'nice' to picky customers." He ended by noting how the Kavanaugh imbroglio has apparently juiced Republican voters and offering a bleak bit of "good" news to disappointed Democrats. 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.
-
Is pop music now too reliant on gossip?
Talking Point Taylor Swift's new album has prompted a flurry of speculation over who she is referring to in her songs
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Nuclear near-misses
The Explainer From technical glitches to fateful split-second decisions, the world has come to the brink of nuclear war more times than you might think
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
What is cloud seeding and did it cause Dubai's severe rainfall?
The Explainer The future is flooded
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Is pop music now too reliant on gossip?
Talking Point Taylor Swift's new album has prompted a flurry of speculation over who she is referring to in her songs
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
How Taylor Swift changed copyright negotiations in music
under the radar The success of Taylor's Version rerecordings has put new pressure on record labels
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift's surprise double album: an event of 'world-shaking proportions'
Why Everyone's Talking About Fans are 'reeling' after The Tortured Poets Department is followed by The Anthology – 15 additional tracks
By Julia O'Driscoll, 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
-
Why Chechnya has banned music that is 'too fast or too slow'
Under The Radar Many Western pop songs – and Russian national anthem – fall foul of new rules to protect 'cultural heritage'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK 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
-
Could Taylor Swift swing the election?
Today's Big Question The pop star has outsized influence — and that extends beyond the music industry
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold 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