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Does Jim Gaffigan Regret His Anti-Trump Rage?

Clean comic mocks Tim Walz, skewers Kamala Harris at Alfred E. Smith dinner

Jim Gaffigan rose to stardom by riffing on hot pockets, not politicians.

The squeaky-clean comic poked fun at himself most of all. He parlayed his comic success into a side hustle in indie films.

Linoleum - Official Trailer (2023) Jim Gaffigan, Rhea Seehorn, Katelyn Nacon

And then he came down with a case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.

It didn’t overwhelm his material, but his angry Twitter rants and occasional Trump broadsides showed another side of the affable comic. Here’s betting more than a few Trump fans weren’t amused. Maybe more than a few deserted him for other comedic options.

Does that explain Gaffigan’s recent political gags?

The new “Saturday Night Live” season finds Gaffigan playing Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz. The impression is far from flattering.

VP Debate 2024 Cold Open - SNL

Why would a diehard Never Trumper take Walz down weeks before Election Day? It’s what any comic should do, of course. We’ve learned in recent years that most satirists pull their punches when Democrats behave badly.

They understand the best comic punchlines can impact elections. Just ask Sarah Palin.

It explains why late-night TV won’t lay a glove on Vice President Harris and essentially ignored President Joe Biden’s obvious cognitive decline.

Yet Gaffigan did it again Thursday. This time, the stage was bigger and his satirical blows proved sharper.

He emceed the annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner. The event drew headlines, and some gasps, when Vice President Kamala Harris declined to appear in person at the bipartisan gala.

Instead, Trump stole the show with a blistering comic set that showcased his inimitable humor.

Gaffigan, a practicing Catholic and father of five, mocked Harris for being a no-show at the event. She filmed a comic sketch for the gala and sent it along in her place.

That wasn’t good enough for Gaffigan.

“I’m sorry. Why is Vice President Harris not here? I mean, consider this. This is a room full of Catholics and Jews in New York City. This is a layup for the Democratic nominee. I mean, in her defense, I mean, she did find time to appear on “The View,” Howard Stern, Colbert and the long time staple of campaigning, the “Call Her Daddy” podcast. You know what I think it is? I think she doesn’t like me.”

Next, he zeroed in on one of the Harris/Walz campaign’s biggest flaws. Harris was selected, not elected.

“The Democrats have been telling us Trump, Trump’s reelection is a threat to democracy. In fact, they were so concerned of this threat, they staged a coup. Ousted their democratically elected incumbent, and installed Kamala Harris.”

The comedian took some shots at Trump, too. That’s to be expected. His Harris jabs cut deep, and many were likely surprised by them.

Why would Gaffigan suddenly embrace bipartisanship? Doesn’t he realize a second Trump term means the end of “democracy” and the dawn of Hitler 2.0? It’s what his fellow anti-Trump stars insist, ignoring that Trump served in the Oval Office for four years and we saw nothing of the kind.

Worst. Hitler. Ever.

Perhaps Gaffigan’s ticket sales are down?

Clean comedy is a natural fit for Red State USA. Many Heartland dwellers love to laugh but prefer jokes appropriate for all ages. It’s why Dry Bar Comedy is such a hit.

That’s Gaffigan’s sweet spot. 

He had no problem selling out Denver’s Paramount Theatre over and again earlier this year. His upcoming shows in Salt Lake City are nearly all sold out, too.

Perhaps he’s course correcting for the best reason possible.

Political satire is best when it hits both sides of the aisle. Gaffigan, now 58, may realize his audiences matter more than his personal rage against Trump.

6 Comments

  1. All these TDS sufferers if they were honest would have to admit at this’d point that Trump is the only answer for this country. But they won’t because hating Trump for no reason is a religion to them now.

    1. Thing him for no reason ? OMG / he’s a BLEEP and a rapist, he lies constantly especially when it comes to the middle and lower classes – I do not need to say anymore as that’s enough reason to NOT vote for that misogynist narcissist

  2. Reagan was hitler. george w was hitler. every republican is hitler. and an end to democracy. then there is the racist thing. and homophobe. it never ends.

  3. A roomful of Catholics would be a layup for a Democrat nominee?
    Not if any of my extended family was in the audience. The whole pro-choice thing is kind-of a deal breaker.

    1. Hahaha- yeah, i’m 100% with you on that! (And I’m Jewish.) Every time I read that joke, that particular reference rubbed me the wrong way. I think it was one of those jokes that will do anything to set up the eventual punchline (her doing the ridiculous call me daddy podcast).
      Also, on consideration, he’s maybe harking back to pre-Reagan/JFK days where Catholics were deemed “outsider” in the body politic. But you’re 100% correct–it doesn’t feel accurate and doesn’t “land” nowadays! : – )

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