“The Daily Show” host Ronny Chieng recently shared his thoughts on becoming a US citizen during a podcast appearance, likening it to joining an “Evil Empire.” He discussed this on the “Award Circuit” podcast, reflecting on his journey from Malaysia to the US as a child, then back to Malaysia by age seven. Chieng mentioned a “weird time” when he returned to America to chase his stand-up comedy dreams.
It’s interesting to note that while discussing his citizenship, he made a remark about the entire 30 years of production he’s experienced since 2015. Chieng expressed that he tends to decline overseas tour offers, feeling a stronger connection to the US despite his roots. He explained, “It makes sense to me to get citizenship,” and revealed that the shows that drew him to America included classics like “Seinfeld” rather than political conflicts like the Iraq War.
“I mean, it feels like you’re joining this evil empire, and, well, that’s not the main reason for joining. But truthfully, there are some fantastic TV shows happening in this so-called empire, where they even do stand-up on the ‘Death Star,'” he quipped.
Chieng also touched on his experience with former President Barack Obama and how he applied for US citizenship a decade ago. This tells you a bit about the shifting dynamics within the political landscape. On another note, he compared Trump’s presidency to working in an emergency room. It’s like a constant “car wreck every day,” reflecting the chaotic nature of the news cycle during that time.
He elaborated on how President Trump’s shadow has loomed large ever since he arrived in America, mentioning that discussing him has become so routine it doesn’t feel fresh anymore. In a way, he sees Trump’s ongoing presence in the news much like being trapped in an endless series of odd scenarios—quirky but oddly familiar.
“It’s paralyzing because each day feels like a new disaster to comment on,” Chieng remarked. And while it feels amusing and strange at times, he also pondered whether the quirkiness really has lingered for too long. It’s a thought-provoking line of questioning, isn’t it? That blend of chaos and familiarity certainly makes for interesting commentary.
