Trevor Noah discussed how comedy is often one of the first casualties in authoritarian regimes, pointing out that his fellow comedians feel they are “sacrificing themselves” under Trump. He recounted his childhood, highlighting that from the ages of six to nearly ten, he experienced a lack of freedom of speech in South Africa, where he felt that stand-up comedy was nearly non-existent due to the risk of imprisonment.
In a recent YouTube stand-up posting, Noah stated, “It’s funny, one of the first things you lose in a dictatorship is comedy.” He noted that this trend can be observed in places like Russia and South Africa.
His remarks came after an audience member asked for his take on American comedians participating in the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia. Noah admitted that while Saudi Arabia isn’t “perfect,” he found it interesting that the country is allowing comedy shows, which he sees as a step in the right direction.
Conversely, he remarked on how comedians in the U.S. are struggling. He brought up the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, suggesting that comedians are often told not to joke about such events because “there was nothing funny about him.”
Noah challenged this, stating, “Now you tried me. I mean, nothing interesting?” He recounted Kirk’s controversial demise while humorously comparing it to a Titanic captain’s speech about icebergs just before the ship hits one.
He maintained that there’s nothing peculiar about Kirk’s death, pushing back against criticism of his comments. “That’s what comedians do,” he explained. “Life, death, and struggle aren’t inherently funny, but that’s the essence of finding humor.” Noah also criticized the reaction to gun violence in America, claiming that the response to Kirk’s shooting focused more on limiting speech than addressing the violence itself.
He quipped, “What happened to Charlie Kirk? He got shot. All right. Tell people to shut up,” highlighting a contradiction he sees in how society reacts to such tragedies. Noah insisted that jokes don’t kill people, emphasizing the unique challenges comedians face compared to political figures, who often operate without the same restrictions.
He humorously noted the difference in reaction to Trump’s statements about potentially seeking a third term, suggesting that while comedians face backlash for their words, political leaders rarely receive the same scrutiny.
As he wrapped up, Noah reflected on his observations, hinting at a deep contemplation of these issues while maintaining his characteristic humor.
