John Oliver became the first late-night host to discuss the sexual harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein, comparing Weinstein’s behavior to that of Donald Trump.
On Last Week Tonight, Oliver brought up the controversy surrounding the Hollywood producer – and Weinstein’s conflicting statement.
“His response was infuriating, because he and his attorneys admitted he needs help while also denying the charges and threatening to sue the Times,” Oliver said.
Oliver then described an alleged situation recounted by a journalist who claimed that Weinstein masturbated in front of her. “Step aside Chocolat, you are no longer the most horrifying picture that Harvey Weinstein has ever produced,” he said.
Oliver moved on to reproductive rights. “Meanwhile, Donald Trump, the ‘Harvey Weinstein of presidents’, had his own surprise for women this week,” he said.
He explained Trump’s proposed change in legislation that would make it difficult for some women to obtain contraception.
“The Trump administration is making it easier for employers to stop covering employees’ birth control, or, as Mike Pence would undoubtedly put it, ‘They’re defending the rights of future babies to continue unimpeded through the male sin stick and directly into a woman’s mother hole’,” he said.
Oliver also found time to cover the problematic relationship between Trump and the secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, after Tillerson reportedly referred to Trump as “a fucking moron”.
“The breakdown in this relationship is clearly very funny, but it could have serious consequences, because foreign powers may not negotiate with a diplomat that they don’t believe has the president’s support and if Tillerson goes, he might not go alone,” Oliver said.
He spoke of an alleged “suicide pact” that would mean if one of Trump’s core cabinet members was fired, the others would follow. “Mnuchin threatening to resign is a bit like a bee threatening to fly out of a car,” Oliver said. “OK, fucking go then!”
This week also saw Trump confuse people with his claim that a photo opportunity with military staff was the calm before the storm. “For a start, no moment in the preceding nine months has been even remotely calm,” he said. “It’s like we’re two hours into a Slipknot concert and they just said, ‘Enough ballads, now we’re going to play one that rocks.’”
Oliver then “quoted” Tillerson by saying: “Our president is a fucking moron.”
