Terry Gilliam on Trump and Comedy

Filmmaker Terry Gilliam expressed that President Donald Trump has played a role in reshaping the politically correct culture within comedy. In an interview, the director of “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote” shared his thoughts with a Hollywood reporter, suggesting that Trump has disrupted the comedic landscape significantly.

He commented, “I think Trump has changed things quite a bit. He turned the world upside down. I’m not sure if people are laughing more, but they’re not as afraid to laugh.” It’s an interesting point, isn’t it? It seems like he’s tapping into a broader sentiment about humor feeling a bit more liberated.

The 84-year-old director criticized what he called the “narrow, self-righteous” attitudes of left-wing activists, who, in his view, have imposed restrictions on comedians. “There were activists who had a very narrow, self-righteous perspective,” Gilliam remarked, noting how it frightened many into censoring their jokes. A lot of individuals seemed, he argued, almost paralyzed about making jokes, fearing accusations of being offensive.

Moreover, Gilliam disagreed with the idea that making jokes about sensitive subjects is inherently cruel. “No, you’re finding humor in humanity!” he stated, advocating for the idea that observing our flaws can indeed yield humor. This perspective, I think, resonates with many—humor can be a means of connecting with the more complicated parts of being human.

He lamented what he perceives as the decline of irony and satire in the current era of comedy. “Irony and satire are basically dead,” he reflected, adding that humor is crucial in life. He described humor as perhaps the seventh sense among our six traditional ones. It’s a compelling way to think about it, really.

Gilliam, famous for his work in the Monty Python group, is also lauded for cult classics like “12 Monkeys,” “Brazil,” and “Jabberwocky.” His insights highlight an ongoing debate within comedy and the influence of political climate on artistic expression.