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Thugs, Autocrats, and the Death of Humor on the Left
In the early 20th-century Russian empire, there’s a story that perfectly captures the unintentional amusement of authoritarian figures. A man on the street is arrested for calling someone named Nikolay a moron, as the police officer assumes he’s referring to the Tzar, Nicholas II. The man protests, claiming he meant a different Nikolay, but the cop insists that any mention of “moron” must be about the Tzar. Whether this story is true or not, it reveals a fundamental truth about thugs and autocrats: the more power they have, the more unintentionally funny they become.
Today, we see this phenomenon everywhere, especially on the Left. The death of humor on the Left has inadvertently turned leftists into some of the funniest people on the planet. Case in point, I recently received an email from someone named Jack Brewster, who works for a company called NewsGuard. They claim to assess the credibility and transparency of news organizations and podcasts. Jack demanded that I answer a series of questions so they can rank my show poorly and censor me on social media.
The Best Email Question Ever
Now, let’s get to the best part of Jack’s email. He asked about a segment on “The Matt Walsh Show” where I allegedly claimed that Michelle Obama is a man. The question itself is a masterpiece of unintentional humor. Jack wrote out the entire paragraph from the show, desperately trying to prove that I made this claim. It’s a joy to read, and I want to share it with you:
“The Aug. 24, 2023, episode of ‘The Matt Walsh Show’ featured a bonus special segment in which Walsh stated: ‘Michelle Obama is a man. … I am increasingly convinced there’s some validity out there. No, I really am. Look, some people have looked into this…’ Shapiro interjected to say, ‘For God’s sake, Matt. You’re the only one in America who knows that women can’t be men. Stop it.’ Walsh replied, ‘I don’t know. Look, and some information has come out about [former President Barack] Obama recently that also confirms what we were told was once a conspiracy theory…’ Shapiro interjected again to say, ‘He [Barack Obama] did like dudes. He did like dudes. That is a thing he wrote…which is a weird thing to write to a girlfriend, by the way.’ Walsh later asked, ‘Why are we dodging this question [about Michelle Obama’s gender]?’ to which Klavan responded, ‘Yeah, Michelle is obviously a man.’ Shapiro replied, ‘Oh God, guys. Please stop. She is not a man. She’s a woman… a very bad woman by the way.'”
Isn’t that just hilarious? Jack Brewster, the fact-checking savant, genuinely wants to know why I and my colleagues claimed that Michelle Obama is a man. It’s a question that brings joy to my day, and I hope it brings joy to yours as well.
Context and Fact-Checking
Instead of addressing the specific sources and evidence I relied on for my remarks, let’s provide some context. First of all, Jack got a couple of obvious facts wrong. The comments about Michelle Obama were made on a Daily Wire “Backstage” episode, not on my show, and they were made on August 23rd, not August 24th. It’s clear that NewsGuard doesn’t care about accuracy.
But let’s not get caught up in the details. The segment in question was meant to be a fun game, not a serious discussion. It’s absurd to fact-check and cross-reference every statement made during a lighthearted debate night. If you watch the clip, you’ll see the humor and sarcasm in our remarks. It’s a shame Jack Brewster can’t appreciate that.
Jack also raised other questions, such as my statement about COVID shots for six-month-old children. He cited studies that supposedly prove the safety and necessity of these shots. However, upon closer examination, these studies do not provide conclusive evidence. They are tentative assessments based on limited data.
The Absurdity of NewsGuard’s Criteria
One of the most amusing aspects of NewsGuard’s fact-checking is their criteria for rating a podcast. They want to determine if a podcast is dominated by one-sided opinion. Jack Brewster asked if my podcast falls into this category, citing examples of me expressing my opinion without inviting someone to argue with me.
What’s funny is that when other outlets present both sides of an issue, NewsGuard criticizes them for doing so. They want to suppress any opinion that doesn’t align with their own. It’s a lose-lose situation. They want everyone to parrot their side, and if you don’t, they’ll do everything they can to censor you.
NewsGuard is not just some corrupt Left-wing blog. It’s a powerful organization backed by the government and Big Pharma. They have affiliations with Microsoft, the Defense Department, the World Health Organization, and the State Department. Their goal is to suppress opinions that the Ruling Class disapproves of.
The Fight Against Censorship
We need to go beyond mocking organizations like NewsGuard and come up with a real solution to combat their censorship. They are winning because they have the field to themselves. There is no equivalent effort on the Right to smear leftists with fraudulent fact-checks.
But for now, let’s enjoy the absurdity and humor of NewsGuard’s fact-checking attempts. I had a delightful exchange with Jack Brewster, who couldn’t define the word “man” when asked to do so. It’s all very funny, but also deeply disturbing when we consider the power these organizations hold.
What impact does the rise of cancel culture and hypersensitivity to offensive remarks have on the left’s ability to embrace humor and satire?
The nuance and humor in the segment.
“The Aug. 23, 2023, episode of the Daily Wire’s ‘Backstage’ featured a lighthearted conversation between Matt Walsh, Ben Shapiro, and Andrew Klavan. During the segment, they engaged in banter and sarcastic remarks about various topics, including a playful discussion about Michelle Obama’s gender. It is important to note the context in which these comments were made – the segment was not meant to be taken seriously or as a reflection of actual beliefs. It was simply a moment of levity and humor among colleagues.
Humor and satire have long been tools used to challenge authority and provoke thought. They allow us to explore sensitive topics and question societal norms. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the left’s ability to embrace humor and satire. The rise of cancel culture and the hypersensitivity to offensive remarks has created an atmosphere where any attempt at humor is met with outrage and demands for censorship.
This is detrimental not only to comedians and satirists who rely on pushing boundaries for their art but to the left’s own ability to connect with a broader audience. When humor becomes diluted or eliminated altogether, it reflects a lack of confidence in one’s own ideas and an inability to engage in meaningful dialogue. It also results in the unintentional consequence of making those who engage in cancel culture appear humorless and authoritarian.
As the saying goes, “laughter is the best medicine.” It brings people together, breaks down barriers, and fosters empathy. Humor can be a powerful tool for social commentary and political critique. But when it is stifled or condemned, we lose an important avenue for free expression and the ability to challenge oppressive systems.
So, how do we reclaim humor on the left? It starts with a willingness to be self-reflective and acknowledge the unintended consequences of cancel culture. It requires an understanding that humor can be used to challenge power structures and encourage critical thinking. And most importantly, it necessitates the ability to laugh at ourselves and not take everything so seriously.
Perhaps if we embrace humor and satire once again, we can bridge the divide that has grown between different ideologies. We can find common ground and engage in meaningful conversations that seek solutions rather than perpetuate division.
In conclusion, the death of humor on the left is a loss for us all. It is a reflection of the growing intolerance and authoritarian tendencies that have seeped into our society. But it is not too late to reclaim laughter and use it as a powerful tool for change. Let’s embrace humor, challenge authority, and bring back the joy and levity that is essential for a healthy democracy.
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