Filmmaker Terry Gilliam Says Trump Re-Election Ends Satire's Era

Filmmaker Terry Gilliam, known for Monty Python and Brazil, has spoken extensively about how President Donald Trump's re-election has transformed the comedic landscape. Gilliam argues that prior to Trump's return, 'woke activists' with narrow, self-righteous views had effectively stifled satire and humor by instilling fear in comedians about offending others. While Trump's presidency has made people less afraid to laugh, Gilliam also believes Trump has 'destroyed satire' because the reality has become too absurd to parody. This shift has impacted Gilliam's own work, notably delaying his satirical film The Carnival at the End of Days, which now feels outdated in the altered political climate. Despite lamenting the death of irony and satire, Gilliam sees a silver lining in that Trump's presence may embolden more open and fearless humor. Overall, Gilliam highlights a tension between a culture too sensitive to joke and a political reality that is itself surreal and difficult to satirize.