Jordan Klepper’s Bold Naked Protest for ICE in New Special: Why It Inspires Hope

Jordan Klepper in ‘Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: Give the Man a Prize’.
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Comedy Central

NEED TO KNOW

• Jordan Klepper expands his man-on-the-street segments in his latest The Daily Show special.
• In Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: Give the Man a Prize, he shares his experience biking through a naked ICE protest in Portland, Oregon, while focusing on Donald Trump’s bid for a Nobel Peace Prize.
• Klepper remarked, “This new administration is constantly challenging for late-night shows, but we are lucky, and I’m fortunate enough to have different ways in which to skin that cat.”

Jordan Klepper stands out as a television host who has named an Emmy-winning series of specials after a sexual pun. His former The Daily Show colleague, Trevor Noah, can appreciate the humor.

A former correspondent for The Daily Show, Klepper’s man-on-the-street segments, known as Fingers the Pulse, originated as parts of Comedy Central’s late-night political show during Donald Trump’s first presidential term. He recounted Noah advising him, “That’s a brand, don’t ever change it,” and Kobler has adhered to that philosophy.

Recently, he won an Emmy for writing his special, The Daily Show Presents: Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: MAGA: The Next Generation. Reflecting on his victory, he humorously noted, “I did laugh like, ‘Dear Lord, these poor people have to say it with a straight face.'” Klepper added that Noah reached out to congratulate him on his commitment to the title.

“Childish sex puns, that’s who I am,” Klepper quipped, further embracing the humor that defines his work.

Beyond his special, Klepper is a rotating host on The Daily Show, sharing hosting duties with others, including Jon Stewart. He continues to travel across the country, often in areas aligned with Trump supporters, seeking answers for his specials.

The latest installment, The Daily Show Presents: Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: Give the Man a Prize, delves into various themes, including Trump’s unsuccessful bid for a Nobel Peace Prize, protests outside ICE facilities, and a unique protest by naked bikers against the president’s policies. Klepper asserts that all these elements are interconnected.

‘Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: Give the Man a Prize’.

Comedy Central

Klepper humorously stated that he joined in on the disrobing to “follow the dongs” while attempting to connect with protestors. He remarked, “At its core, we’re going to some pretty dark places where there are really sad stories. There are images of violence.” He further described the Portland protestors who undressed to avoid being seen as threats, saying, “I see those images in Portland of these people who are standing up to that, who won’t be silenced. That gives me hope about where we’re at. We are in a precarious time, and make no mistake that we shouldn’t become apathetic because of that.”

Jordan Klepper hosts ‘The Daily Show’.

Comedy Central

As he reflects on his role behind the desk, Klepper acknowledges the challenges of hosting during Trump’s presidency. “It is a sprint when you’re behind the desk. Right after the inauguration took place, it was a reminder of like, ‘Oh, right. I hadn’t been in this head space of Trump being in action and how he is so proficient at capturing attention and making moves faster than the speed of media.’”

He emphasized the ongoing stress test for peace and democracy in America, specifically in areas like Portland and internationally in places such as Norway. “This new administration is constantly challenging for late-night shows, but we are lucky, and I’m fortunate enough to have different ways in which to skin that cat,” he remarked.

Jordan Klepper in ‘Give the Man a Prize’.

Comedy Central

Klepper, who describes himself as inspired by the opportunity to work alongside Jon Stewart, has been a long-time fan of The Daily Show, which is approaching its 30th anniversary. Reflecting on his current role, he noted, “Enter this new Trump era. And essentially, you’re playing catch-up and you’re just responding in real time.” He expressed gratitude for being part of the show during this pivotal period.

The Daily Show Presents: Jordan Klepper Fingers the Pulse: Give the Man a Prize is set to premiere Monday, December 8, at 11:30 PM ET/PT on Comedy Central.