A University of Notre Dame professor is drawing attention for praising left-wing comedians who criticize President Trump, calling them courageous figures in an allegedly fearful political climate. Professor Perin Gürel, who teaches in the Department of American Studies, cited Jon Stewart, John Oliver, and Stephen Colbert as examples of individuals who have “refused to back down” in their opposition to Trump.
Gürel’s comments come from a university-published article and reflect broader trends in academia where liberal perspectives dominate classroom discussion. The professor suggests that the current cultural climate has caused widespread “fear of reprisals,” leading to a chilling effect on free speech. Yet, the comedians she identifies—who have long made a career out of attacking Republican figures—are held up as rare exceptions to this alleged silencing.
According to the report, Jon Stewart is credited for his critiques of the Jeffrey Epstein case, despite minimal direct relevance to President Trump. John Oliver’s frequent and aggressive segments about Trump are described as consistent and unapologetic. Stephen Colbert, after the cancellation of his late-night program reportedly due to financial issues, declared defiantly, “They made one mistake – they left me alive!”
Gürel’s academic work includes courses titled “Humor and Power,” “American Conspiracies,” and “Gender and Popular Culture,” all of which reflect a progressive ideological slant. Her framing of anti-Trump comedians as brave truth-tellers raises questions about the lack of intellectual diversity on college campuses and the use of classroom authority to promote partisan narratives.
Critics argue that the claim these comedians are standing up to oppression ignores the fact that they operate in a media environment overwhelmingly hostile to President Trump. Their commentary is widely applauded in elite circles, not silenced. Labeling them as dissenters distorts the actual power dynamics in corporate media and higher education.
