TRUMP vs TRUMP Tickets

Comedy has always been a part of American politics, from political cartoonists in the 18th century to late-night TV hosts in the 21st. However, the rise of Donald Trump to the presidency has brought a new level of attention to the intersection of politics and comedy.

The first iteration of Trump, the businessman and reality TV star, was often the subject of late-night jokes and comedic sketches. Hosts like Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers would poke fun at his hair, his tweets, and his bombastic personality.

However, once Trump became president, there was a shift in the way comedians approached him. His actions and policies now had real-world consequences, and many comedians felt a responsibility to use their platform to criticize and challenge him.

This led to a new version of Trump in the comedy world - the satirical, critical version. Shows like Saturday Night Live and The Daily Show began producing pointed parodies of Trump's speeches and actions, often using his own words against him.

At times, this new Trump seemed to get under the real Trump's skin. He would tweet angrily about how unfair the treatment was, how the show wasn't funny anymore, and how he was being treated worse than any president before him.

It became a bizarre kind of feedback loop - the more the comedians criticized Trump, the more he lashed out, providing them with even more material to work with.

So, which Trump was better for comedy - the pre-presidential one who was an easy target for jokes, or the post-presidential one who provided ample material but also needed to be taken seriously?

It's hard to say. While the earlier version of Trump may have been easier to mock, the current version offers a deeper well for satire and commentary. Comedians can address issues like racism, misogyny, and authoritarianism without being accused of making cheap jokes.

Ultimately, though, the relationship between politics and comedy will continue to evolve and change. As long as there are politicians in power, there will be comedians using their voices to comment on them - whether those politicians like it or not.