A controversy was created when Late Show With Stephen Colbert writer Ariel Dumas tweeted about ruining Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s life. Now comedy writers are coming to her defense.
The election of President Trump changed the culture. One example of how is the even deeper connection between politics and comedy. This isn’t to say that political humor or satire is anything new, but rather its pervasiveness has been ramped up through social media and of course late night television.
Trump and the political climate he helped create has been a focal point of late night monologues, bits, and sketches for well over two years now. But Twitter is perhaps the biggest vehicle by which political takes and one-liners are put out into the world from both the left and right. Late Show writer Ariel Dumas is no different and has not been shy about tweeting her political humor.
However, some people believe Dumas crossed the line with her recent tweet about Judge Brett Kavanaugh. In a since deleted tweet, Dumas wrote on Oct. 6 “Whatever happens, I’m just glad we ruined Brett Kavanaugh’s life.” The line was met with heavy criticism from conservatives and those already convinced the allegations against Kavanaugh were baseless.
The criticism Dumas received led her to remove the tweet from her timeline. She also issued an apology while attempting to explain it was all a misunderstood joke:
The last couple of weeks have been hard for the country and for me personally. The complexity of frustration, anger and sadness can’t be accurately conveyed on twitter, and I regret my tone-deaf attempt at sarcasm in the wake of it.
— Ariel Dumas (@ArielDumas) October 7, 2018
Typical of the discourse on Twitter, her apology was met with either unwavering support from those familiar with her humor or refusals to accept her explanation by those in favor of Kavanaugh’s confirmation. But as Deadline reported, Dumas also received feedback from several other comedy writers and comedians denouncing the need for her to apologize:
One of the funniest writers working today is @ArielDumas. She has my support, admiration, and respect. When angry women tell jokes it scares men shitless. It’s going to be ok, fellas. You’re screaming at a comedian and it’s truly going to be ok. You will get through this, sirs.
— Bess Kalb (@bessbell) October 8, 2018
. @ArielDumas, a comedy writer, being held to a higher standard than the President of the United States. Love you @ArielDumas, fuck the haters. https://t.co/7jYcYC0UNJ
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) October 7, 2018
The same people clutching pearls over your tweet support a president who we all heard confess to sexual assault! These delicate little hypocrites should be able to survive a tweet FFS!
— Danny Zuker (@DannyZuker) October 8, 2018
The story goes to show the atmosphere surrounding political humor in 2018 and how such jokes are consumed on Twitter. Anyone reading Dumas’ tweet without knowing her job would take her comment at face value. Those looking for fights on social media would react like many did, leading Dumas to apologize.
It is extremely likely for Ariel Dumas that this story will blow over. A new tweet will come out that will rile up a loud contingent on social media and a new target will be created. Dumas can return her focus to writing for the Late Show With Stephen Colbert and 2018 rolls on.