Joe Henderson
Let’s get one thing out of the way.
I thought Trevor Noah rocked it Saturday night at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. He was an equal-opportunity trasher, irreverent to red and blue, and especially to President Joe Biden.
That was his job.
When he started riffing on Gov. Ron DeSantis, though, something didn’t sound right. Noah acted like DeSantis was at the dinner, and, well, it would make no sense for the Governor to do that.
Noah got off several good jabs at DeSantis, but every time the camera panned to the audience, there was no shot of the Governor. There was a good reason for that — DeSantis wasn’t there.
He made that point plain Monday at a news conference in Jacksonville.
“So, I never. I would never attend that. I have no interest in that. I did not watch it. I do not care what they do,” DeSantis said. “But for them to advertise me when that invitation was rejected by my office, that is a lie.”
He kept going.
“And so here they are saying how important they are, that they’re somehow these paragons of truth, and yet there they are lying about something that was readily verifiable,” DeSantis said.
“And so, the idea that I was there was false, the idea that I ever would have gone is false, and why they would want to perpetuate a lie about that, I don’t know. But I think it just shows you why that cabal of people in D.C. and New York are so reviled by so many Americans. I think that’s a reputation that’s been well-deserved.”
That was some interesting word usage. Calling the D.C. and New York media a “cabal of people” parallels QAnon’s assertion that Democrats are a cabal of Satan-worshiping pedophiles. Cue the dog whistle.
Anyway, to the Governor’s point, he was listed as an attendee in the event’s program. I have no way of knowing whether Noah knew that DeSantis wasn’t there. I don’t believe it would have made much difference, though. The comedian, the host of The Daily Show, would just have framed the same insults a little differently.
But he didn’t, and that gave DeSantis a chance to pounce on a profession he despises (except, of course, for the paragons of truth on Fox’s prime time lineup).
Perhaps someone else might have just brushed it off, maybe saying, “I wasn’t there and didn’t watch.” That’s not the Governor’s style, though. He goes into full attack mode whenever anyone gets sideways with him. Just ask the residents of Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District or public-school teachers.
Let’s not get too fixated on Monday’s sound blast, though. Another part of Noah’s monologue would have been good for the Governor to watch.
“Every single one of you, whether you like it or not, is a bastion of democracy. And if you ever begin to doubt your responsibilities, if you ever begin to doubt how meaningful it is, look no further than what’s happening in Ukraine. Look at what’s happening there,” he told the journalists.
“Journalists are risking and even losing their lives to show the world what’s really happening. You realize how amazing it is. In America, you have the right to seek the truth and speak the truth even if it makes people in power uncomfortable. Even if it makes your viewers or your readers uncomfortable. You understand how amazing that is?”
Getting to the truth is a noble profession, and it’s one that the best journalists take seriously. And what would you prefer? The state-controlled Russian media reports their side is “liberating” Ukraine from Nazi leaders.
DeSantis wasn’t at the dinner Saturday night, and it was wrong to imply he was.
But as his rock star status continues its ascent, he will find himself under a lot more scrutiny than ever before. If he can’t take what Trevor Noah dishes out without losing a gasket, well, he hasn’t seen anything yet.
36 comments
Tom
May 2, 2022 at 7:55 pm
Hey Joe, the Governor was asked a question today by a reporter. You know the guarantor for democracy. Didn’t you watch it Joe? I did. He replied as he always does. He takes 3 of 4 questions normally. Everywhere across the state.
I also watched Saturday night the self important forum. Noah’s cheap shots were plentiful, as he did a decent job indulging both sides.
So are you suggesting that it’s ok for the WH Assoc to place the Gov knowing he’s not a yes rsvp? Is this necessary? Noah’s just another leftist comedian full of vengeance. He had some zingers on both sides, big deal, I laughed.
Good for Noah. It’s no secret from his show he’s a extreme major leftist.
It’s sophomoric and low grade to fake any member in the audience, Joe. His material towards Governor was personally cutting.
The WH Assoc was shamefully complicit.
Just like past POTUS 45 was mocked in 2011, as he had the last laugh years later. Maybe America’s Governor will have the last laugh.
Just saying Joe. Time will tell.
Barb
May 3, 2022 at 1:13 pm
DeSantis only allows friendly press to attend his constant media circuses. Not so sure answering questions from them is the flex you meant it to be.
Tom
May 4, 2022 at 7:56 pm
You are full of Adam SCHIFF.
Get the enema, ASAP.
You ignorant Dem Dum Manchurian!
Clueless, he takes questions everywhere. Local, regional reporters.
Watch his pressers, learn educate self. Pathetic
Ol' Democrat
May 2, 2022 at 8:00 pm
Don’t like the word “cabal” used to describe your reverend brothers and sisters in the commentary business, eh? Cuts a little close does it?
I’ve noticed that people like you–who get paid to make political comedy, which is to say people who get paid to find faults in others and to attack those faults acidly and persistently–don’t seem to enjoy turn about. Ron DeSantis being rather caustic toward your fellow stalwart in satire, that’s not so funny, is it, Joe? It reminds you of Trump, the man who finally pulled the screen down and showed the MSM’s saggy old naked intellectual butts off to the people at large–and you just HATE somebody that you are trying to make a laughing stock of turning around make a laughing stock out of you. Well, I don’t. I think DeSantis is better at political commentary than is your buddy Noah–and a hell of lot better than you. Sorry ol’ opinionator. Hey, don’t pop a blood vessel. Remember, it’s all for the sake of OUR DEMOCRACY, right?
squish
May 4, 2022 at 3:21 am
trump didn’t show anybody anything. He’s still the same old lying, two-faced, selfish, arrogant, know-nothing con man he was before he got into office, and still. Only fools like you believe anything that comes out of his lying mouth. DeSantis thinks being a clone of the orange-faced idiot is just okay, which it isn’t. I’m sure Noah knew he wasn’t at that dinner—he was just making jokes. If DeSantis can’t take a joke, which is all it was, that’s his problem. And enough of the “I hate liberals” BS. Everybody dosen’t think the same politically, and they don’t have to, so get over yourself. You right-wingers think everybody has to think exactly like you, which is your problem. You sound like a bunch of whiny kids throwing a fit because you can’t have your damn way—just like the orange dimwit idiot does. And that “Don’t Say Gay” bill is stupid as hell.
Brian Carter
May 4, 2022 at 7:34 am
Squishy, You need to grow up and be able to make an educated response before anyone will take you seriously. Trump rocked it and you know it. But go ahead and protect a supposed president that can not even speak properly. I feel so bad for Joe Biden and his wife should be ashamed to let this facade to keep going. I do not feel sorry for foolish people like you that know this is not even close to normal and defend it anyway because you hate a man that has been out of office for a while. Let me repeat, Trump is no longer in office so stop it with your TDS.
Impeach Biden
May 2, 2022 at 8:14 pm
Reading Joe Henderson’s commentary is like reading the editorial section at The Sun-Sentinel. They were all in anti-Trump and now that staff is all in at smearing DeSantis. After thirty-two years of reading that rag I have finally had enough. I will not renew when my subscription expires. Good riddance.
tom palmer
May 2, 2022 at 8:15 pm
Waaah! Waaaah! Baby DeSantis got his diaper in a wad
Tom
May 2, 2022 at 8:26 pm
Actually he was pretty tempered Palmer. He wed asked and replied. So you support fake news.
Barb
May 3, 2022 at 1:15 pm
Narcissists have some really thin skin and do not belong in elected positions, making decisions for others. They have absolutely no humanity.
Tom
May 3, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Yes you are one.
We have a wonderful Governor.
America’s Gov the best!
Who you got Cuomo the fondler?
Clueless
ScienceBLVR
May 2, 2022 at 8:25 pm
Hey, Joe, forget the “Boys of Summer” above and their nonsensical comments..they wouldn’t know good political commentary if it bit em in da arse. You are right, DeSantis, like Trump is just a big sissy snowflake..can’t run with the big boys and melts from the kitchen heat.
Impeach Biden
May 2, 2022 at 8:28 pm
Let’s put up Biden and DeSantis in a debate. What do you think? When will the incompetent one will do a Leslie Stahl 60 Minutes interview? I’m sure Joe Henderson was there the other night with all of the other credentialed “state press” people.
Impeach Biden
May 2, 2022 at 8:29 pm
One other thing ScienceBLVR. Is Rebekah Jones a scientist?
A John
May 2, 2022 at 8:49 pm
I didn’t watch and I really don’t care one way or another. I just want a Governor that focuses on laws that benefit all Floridians & not just “culture war issues” that only benefit his political career.
Kevin Clemmer
May 2, 2022 at 10:16 pm
Amen to that, across the board. It’s time to man up and be a positive force for the entire state of FL, not just the GOP. As it is, the “new GOP” is creating pariahs rather than any beneficial movement forward, and DeSantis is walking the razor’s edge of being completely useless for the citizens of FL as a whole. Anything he does is for the camera and his “base”, and that will be his legacy. Shared of course, with TX, AZ, OK and a few other purple states.
Tom
May 2, 2022 at 11:13 pm
Your right clemmer, and a john, the Gov did man up, even for you both in keeping Florida open and free. Only if you had the fondler Cuomo, tyrant in Chief.
You had your jobs, freedom and liberty. What a bunch of liberal whiners. DeSantis wins in November.
Let’s remember that they lied about his presence. Don’t defend the sinner.
Barb
May 3, 2022 at 1:17 pm
People come to Florida and usually end up catching Covid. It’s a given and it’s FREE. Luckily, the only deaths are in the unvaxxed, at this point, and they are his own voters.
Tom
May 3, 2022 at 7:26 pm
Hi. take an enema you stuffed up manure piece of whatever.
squish
May 4, 2022 at 3:30 am
All Noah did was make jokes about DeSantis—he obviously knew he wasn’t there. No one cares about this DeSantis outside of Florida anyway. Stop making a big deal out of a mere joke. Florida is nothing but a joke anyway—-too much sun has fried everybody’s brain cells down there. No wonder elect wanna-be trump clones like DeSantis. I mean, who the hell in their right damn mind bans math books because they claimed a few math problems are about “woke” topics? That has got to be the dumbest damn reason I’ve ever heard for banning a math book, of all things. I swear, it’s like Southern politicians just want their constituents to stay close-minded and ignorant of anything that challenges them to think outside of the status quo where they are. Which is pretty damn sad and ridiculous as hell.
Tom
May 4, 2022 at 7:46 pm
Squish.
It was the liberal leftist opinion maker, Joe Henderson, that you replied.
He says America’s Gov is wrong.
No the lying Noah is wrong, the lying WH Corr. Assoc. is wrong, as you are.
So save it Dem, Dum Manchurian.
America’s Gov is number one!
I’ll reply to other crap.
I am legend!
Sat
May 4, 2022 at 4:27 pm
You’re not you
Spelling and critical thinking leave a lot to be desired.
Sat
May 4, 2022 at 4:29 pm
You’re not your
Tom
May 2, 2022 at 9:36 pm
You are reading Dem talking points.
He’s done nothing of the sort.
He has every right and duty as the chief constitutional officer of the state to address all issues. As he does.
I watched both forums, he was asked, he replied. Noah and the WH Assoc lied and impugned him, and mdeceived the public. The Governor is allowed his opinion, not just Joe.
A John, study up pal. You don’t have to vote for him. You will be on the losing side. So be it.
Reality check
May 2, 2022 at 9:45 pm
Noah was top-notch!
Tom
May 2, 2022 at 10:16 pm
As meaningless as usual from
you. Ignorance is bliss.
martin
May 2, 2022 at 10:42 pm
Florida Politics has become no better then the miami herald, or sun-sentinel. Nothing but vitriol towards Desantis and the republicans.
Joe, did you actually graduate from an accredited school of journalism?
Andrea
May 3, 2022 at 4:46 am
If you are going to write 60 comments under a slew of different names, at least try and make them make sense. Putting “big” words together in a row and adding punctuation does not a sentence make. One would think that Mr. DeSantis would have bigger things to worry about rather than Trevor Noah poking fun at him. (I mean, there’s a liberal cabal out there!) But no, rather than work on Florida’s failing schools, or adding any workable ideas to the various issues facing our country, he spends his time going after Trevor Noah, Disney, and already disenfranchised teenagers. He is an embarrassment. Unfortunately, with people like Margerie Taylor Green, Lauren Bobert, Ted Cruz, and that person they all follow, he has plenty of company.
Tom
May 3, 2022 at 6:38 am
Ignorant Andrea.
You don’t read. He was asked the question at a press conference, a conference in which he announced $30 million for manatees safety.
Obviously, you are a liberal hater. So it’s ok for the WH Assoc and a punk comedian to openly lie. He was not in attendance.
I guess it’s ok to say you were at the strip club acting out Andrea. How ignorant are you. Grow up.
America’s Gov has addressed Florida. It’s the best state in the country.
Al
May 3, 2022 at 12:53 pm
Of Rusdia.
JD
May 3, 2022 at 1:12 pm
If it’s the best state in the country, how come it’s been deemed the most expensive to live?
squish
May 4, 2022 at 3:43 am
DeSantis is not “America’s Govenor”. He only runs the state of Florida. Only right-wing numskull idiots like you think he’s all that. Nobody gives a damn about him outside of Florida. And what he’s actually going to do for Florida after he runs out of these fake so-called hot-button “issues” he’s made up? Because where is any actual proof that any teachers are teaching anything about sex to K thru 3rd grade students? I haven’t heard of a single actual case where that was proven, or that critical race theory is being taught in high school—-it’s not because it’s a graduate-level college class. Meaning nobody in high school would even understand it. And K thru 3rd grade are too young to even be taught anything about sex or being gay—they wouldn’t even understand any of that either. So all these BS claims that either one of these subjects is being taught in high school or grade school is still a bunch of BS, but DeSantis chose to make an issue out of something that wasn’t even an issue in order to get votes. Which is pretty pathetic and sad.
Tom
May 3, 2022 at 2:50 pm
JD please.
Florida is the place to be in America.
Really, of course Biden’s inflation is choking all.
Of course ignorant Al above with wrong spelling and misinformation.
JD you are better than this.
DeSantis’s Florida’s #1.
Rising tide for all, not a few.
squish
May 4, 2022 at 3:45 am
For you it is—-you don’t speak for all Floridians, however, so stop presuming that you do.
Tom
May 4, 2022 at 7:51 pm
I am legend!
I speak truth and provide light.
You are ignorant squish.
America’s Gov number one!
Do for America what you’ve done for Florida!
Keiv
May 5, 2022 at 8:12 pm
Copy editing. To vs Too.
Comments are closed.