“The Daily Show” correspondent Michael Kosta on Tuesday roasted Donald Trump’s former nominee to head the Office of Special Counsel over his response to a bombshell Politico report where he described having a “Nazi streak” at times.
Kosta highlighted several texts from Paul Ingrassia, who has since withdrawn from his confirmation hearing, showing that he’s lived more of a Nazi “lifestyle.”
Ingrassia reportedly used an Italian slur for Black people in one text, wrote “Never trust a chinaman or Indian” in another and — in a group chat with Republicans — called on Martin Luther King Jr.’s holiday to be tossed into hell.
“Jesus Christ,” replied one person to the latter text.
Kosta quipped, “Wow! Wow! You know you’re racist when even the guys in your racist group chat are like, ‘Jesus Christ, that was racist!’”
Later in the monologue, Kosta turned to a statement from Ingrassia’s attorney, who told Politico that “in this age of AI” the “authentication of allegedly leaked messages … is extremely difficult.”
“OK, first off, if your apology starts with, ‘In this age of AI,’ that’s not a great apology. ‘Babe, did you forget to flush the toilet?’ ‘Listen, honey, in this age of AI,’” Kosta quipped.
Kosta noted that the attorney didn’t say AI “doctored” the leaked messages from Ingrassia before emphasizing that the “apology is not going to cut it.”
“If you think the administration of Donald J. Trump will tolerate Nazi rhetoric and ideas, the White House doors are closed to you, OK? But you can enter through the hole in the East Wing because it’s wide open,” joked Kosta, a nod to a demolition crew beginning to make way for Trump’s massive ballroom.
Watch more of Kosta’s Tuesday monologue on “The Daily Show” below.
