John Oliver was stunned by JT Vance’s debate performances this week, and even more stunned by the media’s reaction.
It was a title for the comedian.
Tuesday’s vice presidential race between Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Wallace took place across the street from his HBO filming studio. Last Week Tonight with John OliverTemporarily turns the room into an official “post-debate room.” Oliver kicked off his show Sunday by jokingly warning his audience that Donald Trump Jr. lived on their airspace.
“So if anyone in this audience wakes up tomorrow feeling like you have a sore throat, you’ll be a complete disappointment to your father, and that’s why.”
But Oliver again reserved his tough comments for Trump Sr.’s deputy, deflecting mainstream media attention on how Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walls were so civil despite the ugly stakes of this November’s election.
More importantly, the fact that Vance won’t admit that Trump lost in 2020 is more of a “no-answer” for Oliver than it was for Walls last week.
“‘I’m focused on the future’ is one of the most common store-brand f—boy refrains. No wonder Tim Walls broke the fourth wall there. Abbott Elementary” Oliver said. “Because that’s what you say when you want to change the subject, ‘I’m focused on the future.’ Otherwise, you just answer the question.
Oliver also tackled new revelations in special counsel Jack Smith’s 160-page brief, which was unsealed by a judge last week and contains bombshell evidence of alleged crimes to try to subvert the 2020 election results. Oliver said the court document “reminds us yet again of the ridiculous measures he took to avoid leaving office.” Among them, Trump was said to have lied to people in the White House even though he knew he was going to lose anyway, thinking he would “fight like hell” even if he didn’t lose.
“But if you lose it’s very important. It’s kind of important. It’s the most unsettling thing you can hear if you work in the White House,” Oliver said.
Oliver also said Trump mocked attorney Sidney Powell during a phone call while “outlining his bogus fraud claims.” “If I ever find out that I lied so badly that Donald Trump hangs up on the call that it’s some crazy thing, you’ll never see me again. I walk directly into the ocean.
Oliver continued: “And none of this is theoretical. If he loses next month, there’s every reason to believe Trump will again deny the results, and Vance has made it clear he has no problem with that. That in itself should be disqualifying.
“For all the talk this week about his civility in the debate, let’s not forget: Deep down he’s the same bigots–sprinkling right-wing hate with disturbing ease and continuing to defend the big lie that the last election was stolen. . . It’s so dark, that’s why — a phrase I heard recently. To borrow – I’m focused on the future, especially in four weeks, Trump will lose this election.
