stephen colbert on trump's 100 days, twitterverse demanding he be fired for homophobia

[niyad]

for insulting john dickerson:

In the opening that has already amassed more than 2.5 million views on YouTube and sparked the hashtag #FireColbert on Twitter, the Late Show host unapologetically took several shots at Trump because, as he explained it, "When you insult one member of the CBS family, you insult us all."

"Mr. Trump, your presidency? I love your presidency. I call it 'Disgrace the Nation,'" Colbert began. "You're not the POTUS, you're the BLOTUS. You're the glutton with the button. You're a regular Gorge Washington. You're the presi-dunce, but you're turning into a real (expletive)-tator.

"Sir, you attract more skinheads than free Rogaine," he continued. "You have more people marching against you than cancer. You talk like a sign language gorilla who got hit in the head."

Here's the joke some members of the Twitterverse had a problem with: "In fact, the only thing your mouth is good for is being Vladimir Putin’s (expletive) holster.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/05/03/stephen-colberts-late-show-monologue-sparks-fire-colbert-backlash/101234342/

[lambchopp59]

1. Oh, WTF. "metaphor"... tweeters, google it.

Let's face it, the orange one is the bottom there.
Colbert Rocks!

[niyad]

2. and the orange one's followers are even lower than he is.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. wow - sharp attacks, fully warranted and utterly f*ing brilliant. Should set the standard

for all discussions about the asshole and his cabal

[niyad]

4. utterly brilliant indeed.

[HopeAgain]

5. He could have avoided going there

I like Colbert, but he isn't helping the cause when he invokes homophobic images (whether hid did it intentionally or not). He can apologize for that remark without apologizing to the president. I hope he does that.

[niyad]

8. how in the hell is that image homophobic?

[MurderMittenLiberal]

9. But he didn't...

He made an allusion to Trump and Putin engaging in Gay oral sex. Describing two men having sex is not homophobic. Colbert could have literally said Trump and Putin take turns blowing loads on each others faces and it still would not be homophobic. If Colbert said that the act was disgusting or wrong, that would be homophobic.

[Amaryllis]

23. What you said.

[BigOleDummy]

31. SMH

at these "homophobic" comments. The poor little repuglicans can dish it out but can't take it? Fuck em AND the horse they rode in on. Nothing homophobic about what he said and I fail to see how it can even be construed that way. More fake outrage from the wingnuts and their Russian masters no doubt.

[MurderMittenLiberal]

6. Still don't see it...

Seriously no idea how this is considered homophobia. I guess all these repugs are going to back all LGBTQ issues now since they're so supportive all of a sudden. To think that they call anyone a "snowflake"....

[niyad]

7. glad you came in from the cold!! like you, I fail to see how that remark is homophobic.

[Saviolo]

10. Two points:

#1: Yes it's super funny, and I think Stephen Colbert is a generally extremely funny guy, and I don't think he should be fired for this joke.

#2: It homophobic because he's basically making a "LOL! Trump 'n' Putin are gay, LOL!!" joke, here. It's the same as the image of Trump and Putin kissing outside of the RNC, or the picture of them cuddling on the rainbow unicorn.

Link to tweet

The idea that turning their toxic masculinity back on themselves (Trump and Putin) is valuable, and can be funny. Certainly being called gay will make both of them uncomfortable and obviously whips the MAGA base up in a frenzy, but it is a homophobic joke. I made a much more in-depth post when that image of Putin in drag makeup was making the rounds:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10028905824

So, as a gay man, you have to realize that if you're willing to mock Trump by calling him gay, I'm going to trust you less as an ally, because you're using something that is a deeply ingrained part of me to mock someone who is actively oppressing me. Trump isn't gay, Putin isn't gay, and Pence isn't gay, they actively want to "cure," hurt, and kill homosexuals.

[niyad]

13. thank you for pointing this out.

[Saviolo]

15. I don't want to alienate allies or anything...

... and I approach this from a position of considerable privilege (as a white cis gay male), but I would be remiss if I didn't say something.

[Behind the Aegis]

16. Thank you!

What some don't seem to understand is in the grand scheme of homophobia, this is but a blip; but, a blip nonetheless. Calling it out for its homophobia doesn't mean we are being "snowflakes" or "oversensitive", it simply means we are aware of the homophobia. Like you, I don't think Colbert should be fired. Of course, there are times when homophobia can be funny, and that is usually when it is being used to mock homophobes, but to imply someone is gay as an insult is nothing more than a "fag joke", of which I heard way too many growing up. Little things like this, on their own, are usually quite insignificant, but over time, they can grow into a wave of dehumanizing attitudes and behaviors toward gay men.

Of course, I am also struck by the hypocrisy of the those calling for his ouster as they are usually the most homophobic assholes around. In truth, they aren't mad about homophobia, they are mad Colbert called the "president" a "fag'. Ironic, isn't it? They are mad for the very thing many of the left are denying.

What a world!

[Saviolo]

17. Yeah, and they styled themselves as allies during the election, too!

Remember their disgusting rhetoric about how bad Saudi Arabia was to gay people, and Clinton took money from Saudi Arabia, so really Trump is the more pro-LGBTQ candidate!

It made me physically ill to hear that. I will never count those white nationalists, racists, sexists, homophobes, and neo-nazis among my allies. They can keep their pet gay men Thiel and Yiannopoulos (who they will turn upon the instant they are no longer useful, it already happened to Milo) and pretend to be allies, but they will always reveal themselves to be in favour of bringing that Saudia Arabian treatment of gay men to North America. Hypocrites indeed, of the highest caliber.

[moriah]

29. I admit, not being gay...

... my thought was that it was above-bar because the two individuals are violently homophobic themselves, Putin in particular. There's absolutely nothing wrong with oral between consenting individuals no matter the gender. But Trump and Putin think there is. So if they're offended for what they consider an insult, well, I have little pity.

But I do have pity and regret if other people than Trump, Putin, or RWers co-opting outrage by not saying what was said was bad, but that a Conservative who said it would get reamed -- the conservative would be saying it with intended malice -- are offended.

Thank you for clearing up why it's still not appropriate.

[MurderMittenLiberal]

20. Still

I don't feel Colbert was making a "Haha Trump and Putin are Gay" joke. I feel he was using an intimate act such as oral sex to express just how deep Trumps ties to Putin are. Saying Putin has his dick in Trumps mouth is a very extreme way of saying his hands are deep in his pockets or he has his "finger in many pies". The fact that he said "cock holster" is simply for shock value. I still don't feel it was making fun of homosexuality.

[Saviolo]

21. It's not making fun of homosexuality

It's using homosexuality to make fun of Trump and Putin's toxic masculinity. And it is funny.

But I have been openly gay for over 20 years, and closeted for another few before that, and I can tell you right now, this is exactly a "Haha Trump and Putin are Gay" joke. Like the image of them making out on a billboard across from the RNC. Like the image of Putin wearing drag makeup (which is transphobic in addition).

It's effective comedy, but it's the same gay joke I've been hearing ever since I was in high school.

I made another post here: https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029010750

[Amaryllis]

24. When you put it that way...I wasn't seeing it as saying Trump and PUtin are gay, but more like Trump

does whatever Putin wants. More like kiss ass. More like they are in bed together metaphorically. But I am straight, so if you as a gay man find it homophobic, you are much better qualified than I to determine that.

[Gothmog]

11. Trump supporters are far too stupid to have a sense of humor

[niyad]

12. that is so very true.

[sdfernando]

14. Those people complaining don't give a flying F&@K

about this. They are the ones that are really homophobic. They are only up in arms because he went after the orange monkey. In their limited intellect they think they are going to turn all of us against Colbert.

All I have to say to that is.....good luck.

[NoMoreRepugs]

18. Seriously, this is the best conservatards can do?? Rush and his years of

slurs to women, minorities and especially BHO make this a sub-atomic blip IMO

[LW1977]

19. Poor right wing snowflakes

[elias7]

22. They're just trying to O'Reilly Colbert

Hope CBS keeps its "head" about this

[Exilednight]

25. There's a major difference.

Colbert is a professional comedian that gets people to laugh with him.

O'Reilly is a professional ass that gets people to laugh at him.

[onecaliberal]

26. That was epic. Loved every word.

[vi5]

27. I love Colbert, but I can't be a hypocrite....

....and if someone on the right said what he said I'd have a big problem with it.

I don't think he's homophobic at all, and in the scheme of things this was a comparatively minor infraction, but I have to be consistent in my distaste for certain jokes or humor and I did feel this crossed a line. Not a fireable offense but enough for a side eye and a finger wag reprimand.

[C_U_L8R]

28. Republican idiots don't even know

what homophobia is. Fucking morons.
No wonder everyone laughs at them.

[joeybee12]

30. Not even remotely homophobic. Not one bit

A play on the term cuckold.

[Rhiannon12866]

32. Jim Parsons was on with Colbert tonight and he said he didn't have a problem with it.

And they got together to find homes for adorable rescue puppies!