Trevor Noah Reveals How He Received Death Threats and Faced Racism During His Tenure on ‘The Daily Show’
Internationally acclaimed South African comedian Trevor Noah opened up about the challenges he faced as host of ‘The Daily Show‘, particularly the death threats, xenophobia, and pressure that accompanied his early days on the job.
Taking over from the widely respected Jon Stewart, Noah recounted how his experience underscored the unique, and at times difficult, responsibilities of stepping into such a high-profile role.
Facing Death Threats and Xenophobic Backlash
Speaking during a recent interview on Steven Bartlett’s podcast, ‘The Diary of A CEO‘, Trevor Noah shared the unsettling reality of dealing with death threats soon after he took on the position.
He revealed that messages of hostility often included xenophobic remarks, with some suggesting he “go back to where he came from.”
Trevor Noah on receiving death threats and facing racism on ‘The Daily Show’ (Image Credit: Instagram @trevornoah)Reflecting on this, Trevor Noah admitted that the experience was “absolutely terrible,” underscoring the tension he felt as a South African in a role deeply rooted in American culture and politics.
Navigating the Shadow of Jon Stewart
Noah highlighted the expectations that came with succeeding Jon Stewart, who had become a “trusted voice of a generation.” For many, Stewart represented a moral compass, a position that Noah quickly realized went beyond entertainment.
“Politicians would look to him, almost wondering what Jon Stewart would think,” Noah explained.
Despite the racial undertones he felt in some of the backlash, Noah emphasized a more nuanced view:
“It’s not just about race—it’s all the things that make you different.”
A Unique Perspective Shaped by His South African Background
Noah attributed his resilience to his South African upbringing, where he had already encountered systemic racism. Reflecting on his past, he shared,
“My gift and my curse was that I came from South Africa, so I know… like top-quality racism.”
This perspective, he noted, helped him handle the intense scrutiny and hostility in his new role, reminding him that racism in the United States, though challenging, was something he could withstand.