Conan O’Brien Says Donald Trump ‘Hurt’ Comedy: Comics Resort to Saying ‘I Hate That Guy’ and ‘He’s an Asshole,’ and ‘Those Aren’t Jokes’

Conan OBrien appeared Kara Swishers New York Magazine podcast (via Insider) and criticized Donald Trump for hurting comedy. The former late night host joked, Im really going on a limb here saying: Thats his greatest crime, that I think hes hurt political comedy by being so outlandish himself. I think the January 6 thing is a blip compared to how much hes hurt comedy.

Jokes aside, OBrien noted that when Trump came along, what a lot of people have to revert to is: Doesnt he suck? I hate that guy. Hes an asshole. And those arent jokes.

OBrien compared trying to make jokes about Trump to trying to parody The National Enquirer.

If you go and buy a real National Enquirer, it says, Elvis sighted in UFO; he has tentacles for arms. Ghost baby turns into vampire and attacks Michael Jacksons ghost,' OBrien said. Theres no way to parody that. You cant parody something that already has that crazy, irregular shape. Its not possible.

Back in 2019, OBrien told Rolling Stone that Trumps superpower is constantly believing in the infallibility of Trump. He added: Humility is a weakness to him. Having performed two different White House Correspondents Dinners and seen Clinton and Obama sit there and laugh at themselves, I dont think Trump can do that. Look at how Dana Carvey was able to lampoon George H.W. Bush and then George H.W. Bush invited him to the White House and they became friends. That was someone who was comfortable enough in his own skin to be mocked.

Growing up, you always put the president up on a pedestal, he added at the time. The minute the president is someone that you know, you think, That guy cant be president. I know that guy. I saw that guy steal towels at the gym. He cant be president. Thats the feeling I think a lot of us have [about Trump.]

Listen to OBriens recent appearance on Kara Swishers New York Magazine podcast here.