Comedian Trevor Noah’s “The Daily Show” faced fierce backlash on Monday for tweeting “Celebrate the #SCOTUS ruling! Go knock someone up in Texas!” after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt ruling.
Professional pundits and everyday Twitter users responded with a flurry of condemnation after Comedy Central’s official “The Daily Show” account implied the supreme court’s 5-3 ruling was a cause for celebratory sex — and abortions.
“I’d say go to hell, but it appears you already have a first class ticket,” replied author and political commentator Ben Shapiro.
“Apparently someone at @TheDailyShow thought this was funny,” added The Washington Post’s Joe Heim.
“Because abortion is a legitimate form of birth control,” responded Commentary’s Noah Rothman.
The Daily Show eventually tweeted in response to the criticism, “Friends, we’re certainly not promoting abortions. Just excited about #SCOTUS reaffirming right to choose.”
The explanation did little to quell its followers’ distaste.
“From someone who was a guest on your show (and treated fairly): This was in exceptionally poor taste,” replied Peoria Journal Star’s Nick Vlahos.
“Pro-choice, but not laughing. That was awful,” added another.
Justice Anthony Kennedy and four other members of the court ruled that a Texas law requiring abortion doctors to obtain “admitting privileges” at local hospitals violated a woman’s right to abortion. Justice Breyer added that provisions of the law place a “substantial obstacle in the path of women seeking a pre-viability abortion.”
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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