Trevor Noah “fired” Michelle Wolf after her White House Correspondents’ Dinner performance — but don’t get upset

After comedian Michelle Wolf gave a performance full of cutting satire at the 2018 White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 28th, critics quickly condemned her set as too mean (really). But already, many have rushed to Wolf’s defense — including her former colleagues. Notably, on the April 30th episode of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah made his point by “firing” Wolf.

Noah feigned outrage as he discussed Wolf’s WHCD performance, sarcastically parroting the argument that Wolf’s jokes had been “mean.” The late-night host also addressed Wolf’s highly criticized joke about Sarah Huckabee Sanders‘ smoky eye makeup, comparing the comment to President Donald Trump’s treatment of women.

“It’s not funny because Michelle should’ve had the decency not to comment on women’s appearances in any way, shape or form,” Noah quipped to the audience. “She’s a comedian for God’s sake, not the president.”

He then played clips of Trump insulting women, from Carly Fiorina to Rosie O’Donnell.

Noah concluded his segment by “firing” Wolf, even though, as he acknowledged, she left her position as correspondent for The Daily Show in December to work on her own Netflix show.

"I  agree completely with President Trump and his team," Noah concluded his segment. "Comedians should be held to a higher standard than he is. Which is why, even though Michelle Wolf left for her new show four months ago, tonight I’m announcing that I’m officially firing her. You hear that, Michelle? You’re fired!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=243wWj9haKQ?feature=oembed

Noah wasn’t the only late-night TV host to defend Wolf. On the April 30th episode of Late Night, Seth Meyers also compared the perceived vulgarity of Wolf’s comedy routine to past comments from Trump.

"She is filthy and she is mean — which is what we love about her," Meyers said. "Because those are wonderful qualities for comedians, and terrible qualities for free-world leaders."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtZV_rFnI-4?feature=oembed

And on The Late Show, Stephen Colbert, who was also subjected to backlash after his 2006 WHCD performance, returned to his old, satirical alter-ego to mock those taking offense at Wolf’s routine.

"How dare you besmirch the okay name of Sarah Huckabee Sanders," Colbert said in ironic outrage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8gE20TW1n4?feature=oembed

As Colbert, Meyers, and Noah all pointed out, comedy is supposed to challenge those in power, and Wolf’s set did just that. And these late night hosts are absolutely correct that comedians shouldn’t be held to higher standards than the president. No matter what you think of it, Wolf’s WHCD performance was important and unforgettable.