Trevor Noah defends Rishi Sunak ‘backlash’ comments: ‘I didn’t say the entire UK is racist’ | Ents & Arts News

Trevor Noah has defended his comments about Rishi Sunak, insisting he did not say “the whole UK is racist” during a monologue discussing the appointment of the first Asian-British prime minister. of the United Kingdom.

Speaking in a video posted on social media from the satirical American news program The Daily Show, presenter and comedian Trevor Noah alleged that there was a “backlash” against Mr. Sunakwith people saying, “now the Indians will take over Great Britain”.

UK politicians, including former Cabinet Secretary Sajid Javid, were quick to rebut his claims.

Piers Morgan also interjected, saying there was “no such backlash against Sunak”, labeling The Daily Show as “racing jokes” and accusing the US media of “misrepresenting it” The truth about Britain is a racist country.”

Responding to Morgan on Twitter, Noah said: “C’mon Piers, you’re smarter than that.

“I’m not saying ‘The whole UK is racist’, I’m responding to racists who don’t want Rishi to be Prime Minister because of his race.

“That’s why I said. ‘Some people’.”

His monologue, titled Unleash the backlash against the new UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Twitter and The British Reject Rishi Sunak on Instagram, were introduced to a live studio audience.

In it, Noah says: “Watching the story of Rishi Sunak becoming Britain’s first black prime minister, of Indian descent, about all of these things and then seeing the backlash was one of the things. It’s worth talking more about how people view their roles, who have played in history.

“And I mean this, you hear a lot of people saying ‘Oh, they’re taking over, now the Indians are going to take over the UK and what’s next?’

“And I always find myself going ‘So what? What are you afraid of?'”

He continued: “Why are you so scared? And I think it’s because the quiet part that a lot of people don’t realize they’re saying is ‘We don’t want people who were previously oppressed to take over. right because then they can do to us what we did to them.'”

The former prime minister, Mr. Javid, shared the clip online, writing: “Simply false. A story that served his audience, at the cost of being completely detached from reality.

“England is the most successful multiracial democracy on earth and is proud of this historic achievement.”

Asked if Mr Sunak believed Britain was a racist country, a Downing Street spokesman said: “No, he is not”.

Read more: Who is Rishi Sunak?

Social media users were also quick to respond to the comments.

Hampshire-born Mr Sunak became the UK’s first Hindu Prime Minister, the first of Asian heritage and, at 42, the youngest in more than 200 years when he was appointed prime minister. last week.

He is married to Akshata Murty, daughter of billionaire Indian IT giant founder NR Narayana Murthy, with whom he has two daughters.

Last month, South African TV presenter Noah announced he would step down as host of The Daily Show after seven years on the show.