Ed West Ed West

Donald Trump is still the funniest politician of our age

Credit: Getty Images

Donald Trump is arguably the most unsuitable candidate of any major western political party in living memory, let alone leader of its most powerful state. Brazenly dishonest at times, fond of extreme and reckless rhetoric and disdainful of most political conventions, he’s also the funniest politician in decades. 

The two things are not unconnected. Comedy as an art form has come under a great deal of strain in the past decade, a result of western society’s new moralisation. Comedians have increasingly sought to be ethical figures on the right side of a great moral struggle, ignoring the fact that funny people don’t have to be good people; indeed, some of the greatest comedians have been malicious or self-centred. 

Trump has the wit of the schoolyard tormentor, an unparalleled ability to find an opponent’s weakness.

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in