Late Night Comics Defend Michelle Wolf

Call it the backlash against the backlash. Many people are jumping to Michelle Wolf’s defense after the comedian was criticized for her roast at the White House Correspondents’ dinner. The consensus on late night shows Monday? If you hired Wolf and did your research you knew what you were getting.

Trevor Noah worked with Wolf on the Daily Show until recently. He defended her sarcastically wondering why she is held to a higher standard than Donald Trump:

“Michelle should have had the decency not to comment on a woman’s appearance for any way, shape and form. She’s a comedian, not the President.”

He then proceeded to play a montage of Trump attacking women’s looks. Watch the clip above.

Here’s what other late night hosts had to say.

Seth Meyers:

“At least the press knew what they were getting right? When they announced Michelle, Margaret Talev, President of the White House Correspondents Association, said in a statement ‘Our dinner honors the First Amendment and strong independent journalism. Michelle’s embrace of these values and her truth to power to the White House Correspondents Association.’ So Michelle spoke truth to power, as advertised, and yet yesterday the same Margaret Talev released a statement saying, ‘Last night’s program was meant to offer a unifying message about our common commitment to a vigorous and free press while honoring civility. Unfortunately, the entertainer’s monologue was not in the spirit of that mission.’ You hired her! That’s like a parent sending an e-mail saying ‘Yesterday’s birthday was meant to celebrate Kevin turning 6-years-old. Unfortunately the stripper’s dance routine was not in the spirit of the party.’ Look, the whole point of your dinner is to socially celebrate the First Amendment. and Michelle Wolf subscribes to the way of the Native Americans. She uses every part of the First Amendment.”

Stephen Colbert:

“The most surprising reaction was from the White House Correspondents’ Association themselves. They’re the ones who hired Wolf, but, after the dinner, they released a statement by putting it on the front of a bus and driving over Wolf, saying, ‘Last night’s program was meant to offer a unifying message about our common commitment to a vigorous and free press. Unfortunately, the entertainer’s monologue was not in the spirit of that mission.’ Look, you didn’t like it? You have that right. Don’t invite her back again. but grow a pair. This — whatever you want, a pair of whatever you want. This was a roast, and you’re the ones who hired Michelle Wolf. Being mad at her for doing her job is like accusing the valet of briefly stealing your car.”