Comedian Andrew Schulz has found himself at the intersection of political discourse and comedy after inviting former President Donald Trump onto his "Flagrant" podcast last October, just weeks before the 2024 election. The episode, which has racked up an impressive 9.4 million views, has stirred conversations about the implications of wokeness and the political landscape in America.
Schulz told The Daily Beast that being associated with Trump has contributed to his reputation as a "right-wing MAGA lunatic." Despite this label, Schulz has been transparent about his feelings towards politics, stating, "Of course. I knew that once I had him on, it would add to the right-wing MAGA lunatic narrative about me." He acknowledged wrestling with the decision to feature Trump on the show, citing the potential politicization it would bring. “Politics is ugly, bro, it just fucking sucks,” he said.
The comedian views the reaction to his guest choice not as an endorsement, explaining that he hasn't endorsed any political candidate and declined an invitation to Trump’s inauguration. Schulz emphasized the importance of empathy in navigating public perception, suggesting that many people do not take the time to understand the complexity of individual opinions in an era dominated by social media consumption.
According to Schulz, America has made a significant shift in political ideology, particularly in response to the Trump campaign's stance against wokeness. Following Trump's victory in the election, Schulz remarked to Fox News Digital, "I think the country has spoken loud and clear. Unanimous victory for Trump. He ran on anti-woke." He elaborated on how the political "pendulum" has swung away from wokeness and believes that citizens are now ready to move past discussions on the topic.
He pointed to the effectiveness of campaign slogans during the election cycle, such as, "Kamala is for they/them, Donald Trump is for you," which resonated with a diverse voter base. Schulz claims this messaging played a crucial part in shaping voter sentiment around wokeness. "The most successful ad was vote against wokeness. Right?… So, in a lot of ways, the result, the election, was decided based on how people felt about wokeness," he stated.
Despite his rise alongside the anti-woke sentiments, Schulz remains committed to offering his daughter a nuanced perspective of the world. He insists on a careful balance between teaching her their family's values and allowing her to encounter diverse viewpoints. “I think it’s really important that my kid learns whatever the woke stuff is, and then also learns whatever my perspective on it is, and then learns whatever her mom’s is. And then can critically think,” Schulz noted.
By encouraging this open dialogue, Schulz believes he is preparing his daughter to face differing opinions without falling prey to echo chambers. He remarked, "The only way you sharpen the sword is when you have these conversations with people who disagree with you, and then sometimes you realize how dull your arguments are. You’re like, ‘Oh my gosh. F---, that was really embarrassing.’" This approach is indicative of his desire to foster critical thinkers rather than individuals shielded from opposing views.
The backlash against Schulz’s decision to host Trump does not come without noted criticism from his peers. Fellow comedian Marc Maron recently expressed strong views on the issue, chastising comedians who jokingly engage with "shameless, self-proclaimed white supremacists and fascists" on their platforms. Though Maron did not mention Schulz directly, his commentary reflects a growing discourse surrounding the responsibility of public figures in preserving societal values.
"What I’ve realized is, you’ve gotta have empathy for how people see you based on the way that we consume information. You can’t be angry that people didn’t do an eight hour deep dive and find out exactly how nuanced you are and like what your thought process is,” Schulz remarked while discussing the need for understanding amongst critics.
As Schulz continues to navigate the landscape of political commentary within his comedy, he reflects a broader conversation around culture, ideology, and societal progress. His most recent Netflix special, "Life," premiered on March 4, 2025, positioning Schulz to engage further with audiences navigating a world increasingly characterized by polarized views.
For fans of Schulz, the future holds promise as he prepares to share his views on platforms like Fox News’ The Will Cain Show scheduled for March 24, 2025, at 4 p.m. EST. As America settles into its post-election realities, Schulz serves as one of the many voices aiming to dissect the shift in cultural perceptions and influence public discourse.
