Trevor Noah, host of the popular US talk show The Daily Show, has compared EFF leader, Julius Malema, to American President Donald Trump.
In a video shared on The Daily Show’s Twitter account (which has since been removed), the comedian plays a showreel of Juju’s most controversial quotes, commenting: “South Africa also has a popular, anti-establishment politician in this election. His name is Julius Malema. And if you think Trump is bad, wait until you see how he treats the press.”
“He just speaks about genocide like he’s talking about remodelling his kitchen! He’s like ‘maybe I will break down that wall, and change the cabinets, and kill all the white people’”
But when Mzansi fans caught wind of it, Trevor faced the firing line for using his home country for “a few white laughs”.
One user wrote: “Trevor Noah is now being used by the US to disseminate Propaganda against our own African leaders? He’s actually doing more damage to our African reputation by perpetuating African stereotypes. Julius Malema is not my fave but this is unacceptable, all this for a few white laughs? (sic)”
Trevor Noah is now being used by the US to disseminate Propaganda against our own African leaders? He's actually doing more damage to our African reputation by perpuating African stereotypes. Julius Malema is not my fave but this is unacceptable, all this for a few white laughs? https://t.co/D6gpfj1Zlt
— Tumelo Mapaa 🖤💚💛 (@DjNewSouthAfric) May 10, 2019
Another suggested his “citizenship must be cancelled”, adding: “We don’t want him in South Africa, he must stay in Anerica. (sic)”
@Trevornoah's citizenship must be CANCELLED. We don't want in South Africa, he must stay in Anerica.
— Yaya Mavundla (@YayaRSA) May 10, 2019
Trevor Noah is comparing Julius Malema to Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/l0AUsjunHM
— Man's Not Barry Roux (@AdvBarryRoux) May 10, 2019
Others felt fans needed to calm down because Trevor is just doing his job and Malema got what was due to him.
What did Trevor do wrong. Julius said all of that. Its common knowledge. What's new?🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤔🤔🤔
— Royston Sanders (@Royston007) May 11, 2019
One wrote: “What did Trevor do wrong. Julius said all of that. Its common knowledge. What’s new? (sic)”
Julius Malema deserves it, he was leading the cabal that made fun of Jacob Zuma, he needs to be taught that white capital are not his friends. He needs to learn to be principled. He's getting a taste of his own medicine.
— Smiso Dlamini (@Callme_SmS) May 10, 2019
Juju has reacted to the fallout on Twitter, suggesting that Trevor is actually an “agent of Cyril Ramaphosa and a part of the ANC’s election campaign”.
He was part of their campaign plan.
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) May 10, 2019
Noah has yet to respond to the backlash.