On Sunday, April 13, 2025, John Oliver's Last Week Tonight took a deep dive into the chaos surrounding former President Donald Trump's recent tariff policies. The episode began with Oliver’s signature humor, which provided a stark contrast to the serious implications of the tariffs that have sent shockwaves through the financial markets.
Oliver opened the segment by showing a 2011 CSPAN clip of Trump threatening China with a tough guy persona, saying, "Listen, you motherfckers..." This clip served as a reminder of how Trump's approach has evolved from entertainment to a troubling reality in U.S. trade policy. As Oliver pointed out, the ramifications of Trump's tariffs have been swift and severe, causing the stock market to lose a significant amount in just a matter of days.
In his characteristic cheeky style, Oliver criticized Trump's sweeping tariffs as being based on faulty math and lacking any coherent strategy. He noted that Trump’s unsubstantiated claim that "75 countries" have come to "kiss [his] ass" sounded more like a tall tale than a credible assertion. Moreover, Oliver highlighted the contradictory messaging from Trump regarding whether these tariffs are intended to be permanent or temporary, leaving even his trade representative, Jamieson Greer, visibly surprised during a live hearing.
Wall Street insiders were quick to speculate about Trump's mental state, with some suggesting that he "might be insane" as stock prices plummeted. Oliver cited financial TV host Jim Cramer, who pointed out that Trump's tariff on the tiny nation of Lesotho ignored every established financial reality. "He’s right… sht," Oliver admitted, surprised to agree with Cramer.
Throughout the segment, Oliver presented various perspectives, including that of an American soybean farmer who lamented the obliteration of decades of U.S.-China trade negotiations due to Trump’s reckless policies. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also weighed in, explaining that Trump's approach to tariffs shouldn't cover products that simply can't be manufactured in America.
Adding to the absurdity, Vice President J.D. Vance insulted the Chinese as "peasants," a comment that backfired given that China holds significant U.S. debt. Oliver quoted Canadian Prime Minister Carney, who warned that Trump's recklessness has made "tragedy the new reality," a phrase Oliver cheekily suggested would make a great album title.
As the episode progressed, Oliver noted that while Trump had implemented a "90-day pause" on some tariffs, vital trading partner China remains burdened with a staggering 145 percent tariff, while most other countries are still facing a 10 percent tariff. He expressed concern that congressional Republicans appear all too willing to relinquish their constitutional oversight authority to Trump, with Senator Chuck Grassley’s Trade Review Act of 2025 unlikely to gain the necessary support for a veto-proof majority.
Oliver took aim at Louisiana Senator John Kennedy, who described Trump as "a pit bull" that just caught the car he was chasing. Oliver countered this metaphor, explaining that the role of lawmakers should be to control the impulsive behavior of such a "dog," rather than simply letting it run wild.
In a lighter segment, Oliver shifted gears to celebrate a unique Dutch initiative known as the fish doorbell, where viewers can click a link to allow fish to pass through canals in Utrecht. The project, introduced by WWE wrestler Shiloh Hill, has gained international attention, and Oliver humorously pointed out that it’s a welcome distraction from the chaos of U.S. politics.
To further add to the fun, R&B singer Mario performed a new original song dedicated to the fish, humorously titled, "If You Ever Wanted Your Man to Be a Fish Who Would Bust Through a Dutch Canal for You—Well, Baby, I Can Be That Fish." The song was intended to get the fish in the mood for spawning, adding a comedic twist to the segment.
Mark van Heukelum, the creator of the fish doorbell, expressed his astonishment at the tribute, saying, "If you had told me five years ago that an R&B singer would be singing a love song for fish on American television, I would have called you crazy." The fish doorbell project has been running for over five years and has attracted millions of visitors, with reports indicating that since March 3, there have been 1.2 million unique visitors and approximately 16 million visits to the website.
As the episode concluded, Oliver’s humorous take on the fish doorbell served as a light-hearted counterpoint to the serious economic issues raised earlier. The juxtaposition of a comedic ode to Dutch fish alongside the turmoil of Trump’s tariffs highlighted the absurdity of the current political climate, leaving viewers both entertained and informed.
In summary, John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight once again proved its ability to tackle complex issues with humor and insight, reminding audiences that while the world may be in chaos, there’s always room for a little levity.
