Comedian Josh Johnson compared President Donald Trump’s appeal to former President Barack Obama’s in a resurfaced video clip posted to Facebook by Trevor Noah on July 4, arguing that Trump connects with some White Americans who see themselves as having overcome hardship.The discussion comes from a previously released episode of Noah’s "What Now?" podcast, during which Johnson calls Trump "White Obama" because he speaks to the experience of having overcome hardship that some White people feel is overlooked by society due to their race.Comedian Josh Johnson called President Donald Trump "White Obama" on an episode of the podcast "What Now? with Trevor Noah." (Anna Moneymaker; Taylor Hill)"He's Obama for White people who hated the idea of Obama," Johnson said."That, to me, is why I think people keep underestimating [Trump]."OBAMA BLAMES SPLINTERED MEDIA FOR PREVENTING SUPERSTAR DEMOCRAT FROM RISING UPThe comic went on to explain his view that there is a certain narrative "baked into America's understanding of the experience of a Black person," regardless of how true it may be for any given individual.That narrative tells of a triumph over adversity that Johnson suggests is Oscar-worthy: "Your ancestors were slaves, you have to struggle, but you always make it through, and like, you had to avoid crime and drugs and getting somebody pregnant," just to reach the level of a White peer, Johnson said.Comedian Josh Johnson performs onstage during the Moontower Comedy Festival at The Paramount Theatre on April 12, 2025, in Austin, Texas.
(Rick Kern/Getty Images)But today, there are "so many cracks" in that story, according to Johnson.Not only are there Black people who are raised in stable, suburban homes — but there are plenty of White people "who literally are that story, but no one tells it in that way."DAVE CHAPPELLE ADMITS HE SEES WHY TRUMP ‘GETS MAD’ AT CNN OVER AMERICAN PRIDE QUESTION"They're like, 'My great-great-grandparents were these Irish immigrants.
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