Too soon for comedy? After attempted assassination of Trump, US politics feel anything but funny

Political jokes: too soon?

The answer from many quarters at midweek was a resounding yes, days after an assassination attempt against Republican former president Donald Trump rattled the nation over political violence that has been brewing in the United States for decades.

Several late-night shows that thrive on political comedy changed plans immediately, with Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” canceling its Monday show and its plan to broadcast from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week. Its host, Jon Stewart, and his counterparts delivered somber monologues.

By Tuesday, the comedy rock duo Tenacious D, made up of Jack Black and Kyle Gass, had called off the rest of its world tour “and all future creative plans” after Gass stated his birthday wish onstage: “Don’t miss next time.” Gass apologized.

Democratic President Joe Biden, no stranger to mocking Trump, phoned his wounded rival, paused his political ads and messaging and called on the nation to “cool” the rhetoric.

So if comedy is tragedy plus time, when is joking okay again? And who gives the thumbs-up, given that the shooter who took aim at Trump also killed former fire chief Corey Comperatore as he shielded his family?

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