As President Trump’s MAGA hordes overtook the Capitol on Wednesday, photos began appearing on social media of a familiar face in the rebellious crowd: Daily show correspondent Jordan Klepper. When I contacted him in the immediate aftermath to see what kind of field piece he had in store for viewers, the comedian simply replied, “A savage.”
The segment, which has only since been posted online The daily show is still on hiatus this week, is even more outrageous than the last Klepper filmed during the so-called “Million MAGA March”, just two weeks after last November’s election. Not only did he get close enough to see the mob invade the building, but he also temporarily encountered a Trump supporter who tackled his cameraman.
“Last week we saw one of the darkest days in American history,” Klepper said at the top of the video. “And for better or worse, I was there.” At the Trump rally that preceded the act of domestic terrorism, he asked those in attendance if they would accept Joe Biden as their president starting January 20. When a couple told him they “don’t consent” to be ruled by an “illegal, fraudulent election,” he replied, “but you’ve chosen a man who doesn’t care much about consent either.”
Things got more and more aggressive as Klepper followed the crowd to the Capitol. “The one thing you couldn’t help is how many people looked like they were preparing for battle,” he notes. “From the tactical vests to the pitchforks, this rally felt charged.”
“You can tell that these people really love America by the number of guns they brought to hurt other Americans,” Klepper said. ‘This thing was a powder keg. All it took was someone to light the fuse, like these human burners, ”he adds, pointing to clips of Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump Jr., and the president himself practically ordering their supporters to betray .
“Is this the last stand ?!” he asks a man who runs to the building on a Segway scooter.
Klepper’s earlier reports of Trump rallies from the past year have always been hilarious, but you can feel the jokes melting away as he takes in the seriousness of what is about to happen. Regarding images of the violent clashes that followed, he says: “They attacked our democracy, our police and even our cameraman.”
“Trump’s bogus military personnel are literally throwing themselves to the ground to perpetuate victimization,” he says before noting that “in the end, the crowd didn’t stop our democracy” since Congress finished certifying the vote later that night. electoral college.
“This revolt has failed,” Klepper concludes. “Just like my dry January.”
Listen to for more information The daily show‘s Jordan Klepper The last laugh podcast.